During his first term as president, donald trump It tested the limits of how the military could be used to achieve policy goals. If awarded a second term, Republicans and their allies are preparing to go even further by reimagining the military as a military. A powerful tool for deploying across the continental United States.
He has promised to recall thousands of U.S. troops from overseas and station them on the border with Mexico. he studied with it military for domestic policy priorities such as deportation; and confronting social anxiety. He’s talking about eliminating military personnel who ideologically oppose him.
President Trump’s vision could result in a dramatic shift in the military’s role in American society, with significant implications for both the country’s standing in the world and the constraints traditionally placed on its use at home. bring about an impact.
As the Trump campaign heads into a final showdown with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, it has promised to take strong action against immigrants without permanent legal status. speak in colorado On Friday, Republicans described the city of Aurora as a “war zone” controlled by Venezuelan gangs, which authorities say is what it is. A block in the suburbs of Denverand the area becomes safe again.
“I will rescue Aurora and all the towns that have been invaded and conquered,” Trump said at the rally. “We will either put this violent, bloodthirsty criminal behind bars or run him out of the country.”
The former president and his advisers are developing plans to change military priorities and resources even as wars rage in Europe and the Middle East. Known as the top priority in President Trump’s platform. agenda 47would implement tough measures at the U.S.-Mexico border by “moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas to the border.” He also pledged to “declare war” on the cartels, deploying the navy and enforcing a blockade to board ships and test them for fentanyl.
President Trump also said he would deploy the National Guard and possibly the military as part of an operation to deport millions of immigrants without permanent legal status.
While the Trump campaign declined to discuss details of those plans, including how many troops would be moved from overseas missions to the border, allies described the operation as a far-reaching mission that leverages the federal government’s most powerful tools. I have no hesitation in positioning myself. In a new and dramatic way.
“The Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense could work together. These three departments will probably have to coordinate in a way that hasn’t been done before,” he said. said Ron Vitiello, acting executive director.
Democratic and Republican presidential administrations have long committed military resources to the border, but this plan would significantly expand the military’s involvement in domestic policy.
Human rights and civil liberties advocates are alarmed.
“They are promising to use the military to carry out mass attacks on American families on a scale that is reminiscent of some of the worst acts our country has ever committed,” said Todd Schulte, president of immigrant advocacy group FWD.us. ” he said.
Republicans in Congress, which has the power to limit the use of military force through funding and other authorizations, largely agree with Trump’s plan.
“The reason I support Donald Trump is because he will secure the border on day one. That could be misconstrued as being a dictator. No, he has to secure the border. ” said Rep. Joe Wilson (RS.C.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Many Republicans argue that President Trump’s remarks on immigration It reflects reality and points out the need for military action.
“This could be an invasion,” said North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “If you look at 10 million people, many of them didn’t come here for a better future, and unfortunately, they ended up needing one. This is due to the Biden administration and Harris This is a problem caused by the government.”
Still, President Trump’s plan to move military assets out of the country further exacerbates tensions between foreign policy hawks within the Republican Party and those promoting Trump’s brand of “America First” isolationism. There is a possibility of increasing it.
Republican Rep. Mike Rogers (Alabama), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said that even though President Trump’s platform clearly states that he would move active-duty troops to the border, He insisted he had no intention of moving troops.
In the Senate, which is still dominated by traditional Republicans, Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, issued a statement encouraging the Pentagon to help with border security, but that effort “There is a need,” he added. It is led by the Department of Homeland Security. ”
President Trump’s military plans may not stop at the border.
Trump’s aides have already released the following statement as President Trump ends his campaign with serious threats to his life. Unprecedented request for military aircraft to transport him amidst growing concerns. threat from iran.
During his first term, when riots and protests over police brutality roiled the country, Trump also pushed to deployment Soldier. Military leaders at the time General Mark Milley resisted those plans.That includes issuing a memo stressing that all service members “take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and the values embedded within it.”
President Trump’s potential actions would likely require the invocation of wartime or emergency powers. Mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Actthe Act of 1798, or Suppression of riots under the Insurrection Actan 1807 law authorizing the president to send troops domestically and against U.S. citizens. The car was last used by President George H.W. Bush during the 1992 riots in Los Angeles after a police officer beat black motorist Rodney King.
Ahead of President Trump’s possible second term, Congressional Democrats have tried to renew executive powers like the Insurrection Act, with little success.
So they instead issued dire warnings that President Trump has fewer guardrails for how he uses the military. He bends institutions toward his goals, from the Supreme Court, which is willing to reconsider long-standing interpretations of presidential powers, to the military, which is working to remove officers and leaders likely to push back on his plans. He has shown his ability.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who introduced the Insurrection Act amendment bill, said the plan was “not a personal preference of President Donald Trump to incite trouble, but a military for national defense.” This reveals a complete misunderstanding by the U.S. military.” ”
But Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) emphasized that many in his party are accustomed to sending in the military to fight illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
“Anything that fixes the border, we think that’s fine,” he said.
