Testimony by Brigadier General Loree Sutton and the Honorable Jason W. Forrester
New York City Council Committee on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation
Hearing: “Protecting New York City from Federal Overreach”
Submitted Testimony | November 20, 2025
Testimony by Honorable Jason W. Forrester
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Reserve Affairs, Manpower and Personnel
Good morning, Council Members.
I'm Jason Forrester, and I’m representing National Security Leaders for America, a bipartisan, all-volunteer organization of national security leaders established in 2021 to counter growing threats to our democracy.
Today, I’ll address the dangerous possibility of deploying National Guard troops for domestic policing in New York City.
Before I get into my presentation, allow me to offer some relevant background. Starting almost 20 years ago, I was an advocate for the National Guard in the context of their heavy utilization during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later, I was appointed by President Obama to serve as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense where I developed manpower and personnel policies for the Guard and Reserve.
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Now to the heart of my testimony:
Misusing the National Guard to police our streets is dangerous to our democracy, ineffective at reducing crime, and potentially unlawful.
FIRST, IT'S DANGEROUS.
Using the Guard for policing blurs the line between military and civilian authority. Our troops swear to defend the nation against external threats, not to patrol our neighborhoods.
A recent Pentagon memo establishes something deeply troubling: a permanent, federally monitored civil-disturbance force -- 500 personnel per state, identical riot gear, and monthly federal reporting. This weakens the authority of governors and normalizes what should be exceptional.
Federally commanded armed soldiers on city streets chill free speech, intimidate residents, and discourage civic engagement. When we normalize such patrols at home, we weaken the trust that keeps our democracy strong.
SECOND, IT'S INEFFECTIVE.
Guard units are not trained for community-oriented police work.
Also, the data doesn't support deployment since NYC is experiencing declining violent crime rates.
Effectively addressing crime requires well-funded civilian solutions. Deploying troops ignores root causes and risks making matters worse.
THIRD, IT'S POTENTIALLY UNLAWFUL.
The Posse Comitatus Act makes it a crime to use the military as a domestic police force. The President can federalize the Guard under the Insurrection Act, but only for narrow conditions.
Ordinary street crime doesn't meet this threshold. A federal judge in Los Angeles found Guard deployment "improper" because there was no rebellion and civilian law enforcement was capable. In addition, cross-state deployments without a governor’s consent violate state sovereignty.
CONCLUSION
Council Members, domestic use of the military must not outpace the law.
New York City deserves real public safety solutions—not a military occupation.
I urge you to support law-bounded, governor-led actions.
Prioritize de-escalation over coercion.
Demand transparency and oversight.
The National Guard should defend the nation, not patrol its neighborhoods.
Thank you.
Testimony by Brigadier General Loree Sutton, US Army (Ret), MD
Former Commissioner for the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services
Chair Restler and distinguished Committee Members, Community Leaders, Advocates, and Friends:
Thank you all for being here – and for your leadership and commitment to making New York City a place with space and grace for all to claim lives of purpose, passion, dignity and respect.
I speak today wearing several hats, having served as the founding Commissioner for the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services; as a combat veteran with nearly 30 years of military service; as a psychiatrist and advocate for accelerating access to breakthrough treatments for PTSD; and as a member of the National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A), a bi-partisan, all-volunteer organization of senior national security leaders, established in 2021 to counter growing threats to our democratic institutions, constitutional norms, and the rule of law.
The recent election should remind Americans of what New York has always embodied: resilience through diversity. Mayor-elect Mamdani cannot govern alone; he’ll require stable, cooperative intergovernmental relationships to govern effectively as well as alliances that span neighborhoods, faiths, and political tribes. He’ll need a civic resilience strategy to prove that democracy still works when citizens choose cooperation over chaos; that New Yorkers can mobilize to protect the city from federal overreach.
Ensuring that federal authorities adhere to longstanding norms is a bipartisan imperative, regardless of who occupies the White House. The principles at stake are constitutional, not partisan. Federal overreach is far from theoretical – we have already seen the opening moves in cities across the nation, including improper use of the National Guard for routine policing. This dangerous overreach undercuts military readiness, flouts the rule of law and does nothing to address the root causes of crime.
These are not the actions of a federal government engaged in normal policy disagreements. These are signals designed to destabilize trust, sow fear, and divide communities. New York cannot afford passivity. Nor can it rely on hope. It must respond with structure, discipline, and unity of purpose.
This is why I urge the creation of what could be called Operation Gotham Strong—a comprehensive, multi-sector strategy designed to defend the city’s local autonomy, strengthen public confidence, and protect vulnerable communities.
Key elements include:
1. Create a Civic Resilience Coalition.
Designed to coordinate safety, communications, and service continuity, the mayor-led coalition’s first action could feature a public signing ceremony for a rule of law compact pledging obedience to orders, zero tolerance for vigilantism, and full protection for press and elections staff. Earning the trust of all New Yorkers is of utmost importance—no matter whom they voted for mayor.
2. Adopt a “Truth in 30” communication standard.
Rumor spreads fear. Fear fuels authoritarianism. New York should commit to releasing verified information within 30 minutes of any viral rumor, federal action, or safety threat. False claims about raids, curfews, or unrest would meet immediate, multilingual facts through Notify NYC, 3-1-1, municipal social media, and community radio.
3. Rebuild trust, confidence, and cohesion.
After years of political whiplash and venal corruption, New Yorkers need proof that government can function under extreme duress without capitulating or collapsing. If New York governs with calm, clarity, and resolve, it can model civic resilience and sustainable democracy for the entire country.
Conclusion
In closing, New York is entering a struggle that is larger than one city and larger than one mayor. It is nothing less than a test of whether American democracy can withstand a federal government willing to intimidate and harm its own citizens. Recent federal actions risk undermining the normal, cooperative relationships between federal and municipal authorities. Such actions, if expanded, could interfere with normal governance processes and undermine confidence in election administration.
But New York has a chance to prove the opposite: that civic resilience is still possible, that governance can outlast grievance. Rising above the din of politics as usual, New Yorkers must meet the demands of this moment—together, with unwavering strength and shared purpose.
Thank you for your leadership in addressing the critical challenge of building civic resilience and protecting NYC from federal overreach. I look forward to your comments and questions.
