What was the importance of ex parte milligan?

Ex parte Milligan (1866) was a landmark Supreme Court case that established significant limits on the government's power during wartime. The Court ruled that civilian trials could not be conducted in military courts when civilian courts were still operational, emphasizing the importance of due process and the protection of civil liberties. The case underscored the principle that even in times of national emergency, constitutional rights must be upheld, reinforcing the rule of law and limiting executive power. This decision has had lasting implications for the balance of power between civil and military authority in the United States.