Ensuring Domestic Tranquility

Contact Your Elected Officials

When the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution was written in 1788, the honored Framers intended to succinctly state in understandable language for the benefit of all U.S. citizens the basic purposes of the American republic’s highest law.  The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article VI, Clause 2, states unambiguously that the U.S. Constitution is the highest law of the land and takes precedence over any State law.  The Framers, in the words of the Preamble, intended to sum-up the enumerated powers of the federal government in fifty-two words specifically stating that ensuring domestic Tranquility, providing for the common Defense, and promoting (not providing) the general welfare, were the essential tasks of the federal government under the dictates of the Constitution in order to ensure the ongoing liberty of the People of the United States of America. 

The first element of the purpose of federal government stated in the Preamble was the ensuring of domestic tranquility throughout the States of the republic.  Of course, there was no doubt that the Framers extended that enumerated power to ensuring tranquility in the cities and counties of the thirteen original States. Since the District of Columbia was created as the capital of the republic in 1790, the Framers were not referring to a particular federal entity, such as a futuristic District of Columbia, in 1788 when they wrote of ensuring domestic tranquility into the Preamble. They were instead referring to the whole USA, every State. 

In 1789, after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, there were two law means of federal law enforcement immediately created, legislated, and empowered by Congress, the U.S. Marshals and the branches of the U.S. military. The U.S. Marshals were the first federal law enforcement agency created by First Congress. It was George Washington who stated after the creation of the U.S. Marshals Service that, “it is hoped that the Marshals will be the only federal police agency that will be needed by the republic.”  The 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights had reserved to the States the fundamental police power. Yet, from the outset of the republic in 1789, the States were assisted by the federal marshals and the military in maintaining law and order, or domestic tranquility.    

 



Norton R Nowlin
Norton R Nowlin
U.S. Marine, teacher, deputy sheriff, and paralegal for the Veterans Health Admin in DC, Norton R. Nowlin has been a published professional freelance writer of prose articles, commentary, and essays for over 40 years.

Off the radar

In the longstanding and brutal ledger of religious persecution, Nigeria now occupies its own grim chapter with its enduring pogrom against Christians.

If Federal Food Assistance Programs End, Theft Begins

Many patriotic Americans well versed in American History have...

Tucker EN FUEGO: Taking Stock of MAGA, Ten Years on

Draining of the Swamp has yet to come anything close to fruition, as the creatures that populate said Swamp yet cling bitterly to power.

Tylenol’s Headache

When President Trump, RFK Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz called for pregnant women to avoid using acetaminophen, Tylenol got the headache.

American Restaurants Are Going Broke

U.S. restaurant bankruptcies surged to 22% in 2020 amid COVID-19 and stayed elevated at 14% last year due to Biden’s “Build Back Better” policy.

TCM Classic Tour at Warner Bros. Studio: Finding Stardust in Today’s Hollywood

Warner Bros. launched the TCM Classic Films Tour in April 2024, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the studio’s historic movie legacy.

NBA Player Explains Why He Refused to Kneel

Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac drew attention in 2020 for standing during the anthem and refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, citing his Christian faith.

Emergency Funds Can’t Be Used to Keep Food Stamps Flowing: USDA

Emergency funds held by the USDA cannot be used to keep the food stamp program going if members of Congress don’t reach a funding agreement.

Democratic Unity Frays as Shutdown Drags On

A handful of legislators have crossed the aisle on reopening and worker-pay bills, testing Democratic party unity in week four of the shutdown

Trump Rolls Back Emissions Rules on Copper Smelters

President Trump issued a proclamation aimed at reversing a Biden-era environmental rule that enforced stricter air emission standards on copper smelters.

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump announced on Oct. 23 that an anonymous donor sent $130M to cover military pay during the ongoing government shutdown.

‘Frustration’ With Canada Led to Trump Scrapping Talks, Not Just Ontario’s Ad: US Official

President Trump cited Ontario’s TV ad as the reason for halting Canada trade talks, but officials say it stems from rising U.S. frustration with Ottawa.

Ontario to Pause Anti-Tariff Ad After Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada

Ontario pauses its TV ad campaign after Premier Doug Ford’s talk with PM Mark Carney, following backlash that halted U.S.-Canada trade talks.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central