Title 10 — Armed ForcesRelease 119-73not60
§251 Federal Aid for State Governments
Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle A— General Military Law › Part I— ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL MILITARY POWERS › Chapter 13— INSURRECTION › § 251
Summary
When a violent uprising threatens a state government, the President can send federal troops and militias from other states, in the numbers the state asks, and use any armed forces he thinks are needed to stop it. He can do this only if the state’s legislature asks, or if the legislature cannot meet, the governor asks.
Full Legal Text
Title 10, §251
Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whenever there is an insurrection in any State against its government, the President may, upon the request of its legislature or of its governor if the legislature cannot be convened, call into Federal service such of the militia of the other States, in the number requested by that State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to suppress the insurrection.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 33150:201.R.S. 5297. The words “armed forces” are substituted for the words “land or naval forces of the United States”. The word “governor” is substituted for the word “executive”. The word “may” is substituted for the words “it shall be lawful * * * to”. The words “into Federal service” are substituted for the word “forth” for uniformity and clarity.
Editorial Notes
Codification Another section 251 was renumbered section 240a of this title.
Amendments
2016—Pub. L. 114–328 renumbered section 331 of this title as this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 251
Title 10 — Armed Forces
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60