Date

Nov 6, 1989

Description

This OLC legal opinion written by Bill Barr argues that the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act that barred the use of the military for law enforcement purposes—such as in the enforcement of U.S. drug laws—did not apply to actions by federal agents outside of the United States.

Source

George H. W. Bush Presidential Library, National Security Council Files, Nicholas Rostow Files, Folder, “Countemarcotics: Legal Issues [1].”

Document published in following posting(s):

Imperial Prerogative: How the Panama Invasion and the “Barr Doctrine” Set the Stage for the Maduro “Snatch” Operation

Jan 16, 2026

Daniel Levin, National Security Council, Memorandum for Brent Scowcroft, “Extraterritorial Effect of the Posse Comitatus Act,” with attached Legal Opinion by Assistant Attorney General, William P. Barr, “Extraterritorial Effect of the Posse comitatus Act”