Which federal law, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1385 and enacted as part of the Army Appropriations Act of June 18, 1878, prohibits the use of federal military forces in domestic law enforcement?

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The Posse Comitatus Act, originally enacted on June 18, 1878 as § 15 of the Army Appropriations Act and now codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1385, states: “Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, or the Space Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” This provision bars federal military personnel from conducting civilian law enforcement functions absent explicit constitutional or statutory authorization. Limited exceptions include the Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C. §§ 251–255), disaster relief under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.), and support roles under DoD Instruction 3025.21, which permits indirect assistance such as training and equipment lending. (,, )

Which federal law, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1385 and enacted as part of the Army Appropriations Act of June 18, 1878, prohibits the use of federal military forces in domestic law enforcement?

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