Which military branch would enforce martial law in the US?

I know this might seem like a dark question, but I'm genuinely curious as I've heard people mention martial law before. Assuming it would ever happen, which branch of the military is responsible for enforcing martial law? Thanks for the info.

Martial law is a complex concept, and its handling would involve several different areas of government, including both federal and state entities. Technically speaking, any of the six branches of the U.S. military could be involved, depending on the circumstances and the specifics of any orders issued from the top of the chain of command.

However, in general, the enforcement of martial law on U.S. soil would likely first fall upon the National Guard. Both the Army National Guard and Air Force National Guard are unique components of the U.S. military in that they operate under both state and federal authority. In a situation where martial law is declared, the governor of a state could call out their state's National Guard units to maintain order and enforce the law.

That said, it's important to note that the U.S. military, as a rule, is generally not used for domestic law enforcement due to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which restricts the use of the federal military for domestic law enforcement without Congressional approval.

Lastly, please remember that martial law is an extremely exceptional state and is considered as a last resort. The checks and balances within U.S. government, and the adherence to principles of democracy, are designed to prevent the need for such a circumstance. It's always important to seek out information and be well-informed, but also to remember that we live in a system that values the rule of law.