What is rex84?

Rex 84, short for "Readiness Exercise 1984," was a classified scenario and drill created by the United States government in the early 1980s to simulate a national emergency and test the government's ability to respond to civil unrest, martial law, and mass internment of American citizens.

The exercise was designed to prepare for a potential domestic crisis such as widespread civil disorder, natural disaster, or a hostile foreign invasion. It involved coordination between various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, National Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other law enforcement agencies.

Rex 84 drew criticism and controversy when its existence was revealed to the public in the mid-1980s, with some critics accusing the government of planning to suspend civil liberties and impose authoritarian control in the event of a crisis. The program was said to involve the establishment of detention centers and the possibility of mass detainment of dissidents and political opponents.

Although Rex 84 was officially discontinued in the late 1980s, its legacy and the concerns surrounding government emergency response plans continue to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories about the potential for authoritarian measures to be taken in times of crisis.