Executive Order 10730: Little Rock Nine: Presidential Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)

Quote #1

I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States, under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the United States […] do command all persons engaged in such obstruction of justice to cease and desist therefrom, and to disperse forthwith. (5)

Eisenhower was pointing out that the Constitution and other U.S. laws give him the right to tell opponents to stop breaking the law. He's got the Presidential Seal, he's up on the Presidential podium—and his mama loves him.

Presidential Power

Quote #2

I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of Defense to order into the active military service of the United States […] any or all of the units of the National Guard […] and of the Air National Guard […] within the State of Arkansas. (8)

By ordering the National Guard into federal service, the president was saying that the governor could no longer command those troops to prevent integration. Gotcha, Orval!

Presidential Power

Quote #3

The Secretary of Defense is authorized to use such of the armed forces of the United States as he may deem necessary. (10)

If the National Guard couldn't or wouldn't carry out the president's orders, U.S. regular troops would be there as back up.

Presidential Power
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