To maintain order, Governor Newsom has invoked the possibility of declaring martial law.SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – With the coronavirus spreading, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has invoked the possibility of declaring martial law to maintain order. Martial law is when civil laws are suspended and a military force is in charge. It’s exceptionally rare for it to be used in the United States. Newsom mentioned martial law as a possibility on Tuesday when announcing he had placed the National Guard on alert. On Wednesday, Newsom’s spokesman said the governor doesn’t envision tanks and armed soldiers in the streets. The Guard will be used on a humanitarian mission to support health and safety.