(1) POLICY (1.a) National Policy (1.a.a) The President is authorized by the Constitution and laws of the United States to employ the Armed Forces of the United States to suppress insurrections, rebellions, and domestic violence under various conditions and circumstances. Planning and preparedness by the Federal Government and the Department of Defense for civil disturbances are important due to the potential severity of the consequences of such events for the Nation and the population. (1.a.b) Military resources may be employed in support of civilian law enforcement operations in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories and possessions only in the parameters of the Constitution and laws of the United States and the authority of the President and the Secretary of Defense, including delegations of that authority through this Directive or other means. (1.a.c) The primary responsibility for protecting life and property and maintaining law and order in the civilian community is vested in the State and local governments. Supplementary responsibility is vested by statute in specific Agencies of the Federal Government other than the Department of Defense. The President has additional powers and responsibilities under the Constitution of the United States to ensure that law and order are maintained. (1.a.d) Responsibility for the management of the Federal response to civil disturbances rests with the Attorney General of the United States. (1.a.e) Any employment of Military Forces in support of law enforcement operations shall maintain the primacy of civilian authority. Requests from the Attorney General to the Department of Defense shall be provided in response to an official request by State or Federal civil law enforcement or Executive authorities. (1.a.f) The employment of U.S. Military Forces to control civil disturbances shall be authorized by the President through an Executive order directing the Secretary of Defense to act in a specified civil jurisdiction under specific circumstances. (1.a.g) Planning by the DoD Components for MACDIS shall be compatible with contingency plans for national security emergencies, and with planning for MSCA under DoD Directive 3025.1 (reference (d) ). For example: (1.a.g.a) Under E.O. 12656 (reference (b) ), it is the policy of the Federal Government to have sufficient capabilities at all levels of government to meet essential defense and civilian needs during any national security emergency. That policy directs the Heads of the Federal Departments and Agencies to identify facilities and resources, both Government and private, essential to the national defense and national welfare, and to develop strategies, plans, and programs to provide for the security of such facilities and resources, and avoid or minimize disruptions during any national security emergency. In some circumstances, risks to such facilities and resources may coincide with or constitute civil disturbances. (DoD, MACDIS Directive No. 3025.12, February 4, 1994, pp. 3-4)