Silence from Congressional Republicans on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's proposal to deploy active-duty Marines to quell Los Angeles immigration protests raises serious concerns. Hegseth's suggestion, and the lack of GOP pushback, marks a significant escalation and potential misuse of military forces against civilian protestors. This controversial plan warrants immediate scrutiny and public debate
House Speaker Mike Johnson defends Defense Secretary Hegseth's proposal to deploy active-duty Marines to Los Angeles protests, stating it's "not heavy-handed." This follows Hegseth's suggestion on X and President Trump's controversial deployment of the National Guard, raising concerns about potential escalation and the rare use of active military against civilian protests
Hegseth Proposes Deploying Marines to LA Protests: Following Trump's Controversial National Guard Deployment, a Republican official suggests mobilizing active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton if violence continues at immigration enforcement protests. This unprecedented move, criticized by California leaders as unnecessary, raises concerns about federal overreach and the potential misuse of the Insurrection Act
Deploying active-duty Marines to quell protests: a drastic escalation rarely seen. President Trump's consideration of this extreme measure, following the controversial deployment of National Guard troops without gubernatorial consent, raises serious concerns about the use of military force against civilian protestors. This unprecedented action, potentially invoking the Insurrection Act, marks a significant departure from established norms and warrants careful examination
Deploying active-duty troops to quell civil unrest is an extraordinary measure, typically requiring presidential authorization under the Insurrection Act to enforce law and order. The last such deployment, invoking the Insurrection Act, occurred in 1992 when President George H.W. Bush sent US Marines to California following the Rodney King riots
Trump's Defense Secretary Mark Esper opposed using active-duty military for protest response, stating such action was only justified in "the most urgent and dire of situations." This directly contradicted President Trump's approach, highlighting a significant policy disagreement regarding the role of the military in domestic unrest
Instead of condemning Defense Secretary Hegseth's proposal to deploy Marines against immigration protests, several Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have either supported the idea or remained silent
House Speaker Mike Johnson defends the potential deployment of Marines to quell Los Angeles protests, stating that such a move, while forceful, may be necessary as a deterrent. His comments follow Defense Secretary Hegseth's suggestion of mobilizing Camp Pendleton Marines, raising concerns about escalating federal intervention in civil unrest. This controversial proposal echoes past instances of deploying active-duty military to control protests, sparking debate about the appropriate use of the Insurrection Act and the role of the military in domestic affairs
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sidestepped criticism of deploying active-duty Marines to quell protests, stating on CNN's "State of the Union" that the National Guard's response would suffice. His response avoids directly repudiating the proposal to use active-duty military personnel against protestors
Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) offered muted criticism of Secretary Hegseth's proposal to deploy Marines to quell Los Angeles immigration protests, stopping short of outright rejection
Senator Lankford clarifies that active-duty Marines won't conduct law enforcement in Los Angeles, instead focusing on logistical support, similar to their border deployment. Their role would be behind-the-scenes, not direct law enforcement actions
Senator Lankford expressed concern over escalating protests, citing attacks on law enforcement and burning vehicles. He emphasized the need to prevent further unrest, suggesting a potential role for federal intervention alongside local authorities to maintain control
Democrats condemn Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, calling it inflammatory and expressing outrage at the potential use of active-duty military, a move they see as a dangerous escalation
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“The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens,” Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a Sunday post on X. “This is deranged behavior.”
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