<P> Federal troops have a long history of domestic roles, including occupying secessionist Southern states during Reconstruction and putting down major urban riots . The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of active duty personnel to "execute the laws"; however, there is disagreement over whether this language may apply to troops used in an advisory, support, disaster response, or other homeland defense role, as opposed to domestic law enforcement . </P> <P> On March 10, 2009, members of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps from Fort Rucker were deployed to Samson, Alabama, in response to a murder spree . Samson officials confirmed that the soldiers assisted in traffic control and securing the crime scene . The governor of Alabama did not request military assistance nor did President Obama authorize their deployment . Subsequent investigation found that the Posse Comitatus Act was violated and several military members received "administrative actions". </P>

When can the federal government sent troops into a state