Breaking News - Obama Signs Martial Law Executive Order

It looks as though President Obama today has taken his first step towards martial law in America.
I just pulled this piece off the wires which indicates the issuance of his new executive order. This
order sets up the
framework for the use of federal troops and the combination of state and federal agencies under
the Defence Department. This is startling news for many reasons. Why now? Why now?

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors

Monday, 11 January 2010

The President today signed an Executive Order establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen
further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our
Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters
as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defence; civil support;
synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and
other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defence, and civil support
activities.
The bipartisan Council will be composed of Ten State Governors who will be selected by the
President to serve two year terms. In selecting the Governors to the Council, the White House will
solicit input from Governors and Governors’ associations. Once chosen, the Council will have no
more than five members from the same party and represent the Nation as a whole.
Federal members of the Council include the Secretary of Defence, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the
Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, the Assistant
Secretary of Defence for Homeland Defence and Americas’ Security Affairs, the U.S. Northern
Command Commander, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National
Guard Bureau. The Secretary of Defence will designate an Executive Director for the Council.
The Council of Governors will provide an invaluable Senior Administration forum for exchanging
views with State and local officials on strengthening our National resilience and the homeland
defence and civil support challenges facing our Nation today and in the future.
The formation of the Council of Governors was required by the Fiscal Year 2008 National
Defence Authorization Act which stated, “The President shall establish a bipartisan Council of
Governors to advise the Secretary of Defence, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the
White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil
support missions.” (NDAA FY2008, Sec 1822)

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 11, 2010
EXECUTIVE ORDER
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS
By the authority vested in me as President by theConstitution and the laws of the United States of
America,including section 1822 of the National Defense AuthorizationAct of 2008 (Public Law
110-181), and in order to strengthenfurther the partnership between the Federal Government and
Stategovernments to protect our Nation and its people and property,it is hereby ordered as
follows:
Section 1. Council of Governors.

(a) There is established a Council of Governors (Council).The Council shall consist of 10 State
Governors appointed bythe President (Members), of whom no more than five shall be ofthe same
political party. The term of service for each Member appointed to serve on the Council shall be 2
years, but a Membermay be reappointed for additional terms.

(b) The President shall designate two Members, whoshall not be members of the same political
party, to serve asCo-Chairs of the Council.
Sec. 2. Functions. The Council shall meet at the call of the Secretary of Defense or the Co-Chairs
of the Council toexchange views, information, or advice with the Secretary ofDefense; the
Secretary of Homeland Security; the Assistant tothe President for Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism; theAssistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs andPublic
Engagement; the Assistant Secretary of Defense forHomeland Defense and Americas' Security
Affairs; the Commander,United States Northern Command; the Chief, National GuardBureau; the
Commandant of the Coast Guard; and other appropriateofficials of the Department of Homeland
Security and theDepartment of Defense, and appropriate officials of otherexecutive departments
or agencies as may be designated by theSecretary of Defense or the Secretary of Homeland
Security.Such views, information, or advice shall concern:

(a) matters involving the National Guard of the variousStates;

(b) homeland defense;

(c) civil support;

more (OVER) 2

(d) synchronization and integration of State and Federalmilitary activities in the United States; and

(e) other matters of mutual interest pertaining toNational Guard, homeland defense, and civil
support activities.

Sec. 3. Administration.

(a) The Secretary of Defense shall designate an ExecutiveDirector to coordinate the work of the
Council.

(b) Members shall serve without compensation for theirwork on the Council. However, Members
shall be allowed travelexpenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, asauthorized by law.

(c) Upon the joint request of the Co-Chairs ofthe Council, the Secretary of Defense shall, to
theextent permitted by law and subject to the availability ofappropriations, provide the Council
with administrative support,assignment or detail of personnel, and information as may
benecessary for the performance of the Council's functions.

(d) The Council may establish subcommittees of theCouncil. These subcommittees shall consist
exclusively ofMembers of the Council and any designated employees of a Memberwith authority
to act on the Member's behalf, as appropriate toaid the Council in carrying out its functions under
this order.

(e) The Council may establish a charter that is consistentwith the terms of this order to refine
further its purpose,scope, and objectives and to allocate duties, as appropriate,among members.

Sec. 4. Definitions. As used in this order:

(a) the term "State" has the meaning provided inparagraph (15) of section 2 of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002(6 U.S.C. 101(15)); and

(b) the term "Governor" has the meaning provided inparagraph (5) of section 102 of the Robert T.
Stafford DisasterRelief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(5)).

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair orotherwise affect:

(1) the authority granted by law to adepartment, agency, or the head thereof; or
(2) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to
budgetary,administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistentwith applicable law and subject to the availability
ofappropriations.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. more 3

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, createany right or benefit, substantive or
procedural, enforceable atlaw or in equity by any party against the United States, itsdepartments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, oragents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,January 11, 2010.
Author Nicholas Contompasis at 8:13 PM