Following the events of hurricane Katrina, there has been some discussion calling for the repeal of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The act was passed by Congress to limit the role of the Army, preventing it from being used for domestic law enforcement. Posse Comitatus means literally, "the power of the county;" a reference to the power vested in county sheriffs of old to form a posse of men when needed to maintain the peace. Army troops had been used in such a manner following the Civil War with Soldiers stationed throughout the south during the Reconstruction era to keep the peace. This of course caused much animosity and distrust among the citizens towards the military.

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