Trump's Military Deployment: Pentagon Chief's Loyalty Raises Concerns Over Potential for Illegal Orders Against US Citizens. Hegseth's refusal to rule out obeying potentially unlawful orders to shoot American protesters sparks debate on presidential authority and military accountability. The deployment of National Guard troops to quell domestic dissent, following Trump's ICE raid orders and violent protests, fuels concerns about escalating militarization of domestic law enforcement
Hegseth's Evasive Response to Question on Potential Use of Military Against Protesters: During his January confirmation hearing, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth refused to answer whether he would obey an order to shoot protesters, mirroring a past Trump demand to then-Secretary Mark Esper. His response sidestepped the question, raising concerns about the military's role in quelling domestic dissent under the Trump administration
Former National Guard member and current Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recounts witnessing firsthand the violence at Lafayette Square in 2020. He describes seeing approximately 50 Secret Service agents injured by rioters who attempted to breach fences, set fire to a church, and vandalize a statue. This experience, he states, informs his approach to answering questions about potential presidential orders
Hegseth refused to definitively answer whether he would obey potentially illegal orders from President Trump, citing Trump's strategic leadership as the reason for his non-committal response during his Senate confirmation hearing. This evasion followed a question regarding Trump's 2020 demand to shoot protesters, a demand Hegseth avoided directly addressing. His refusal to answer raises concerns, especially given Trump's recent military deployments to quell domestic dissent
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth refused to disclose the nature of President Trump's orders, citing the President's strategic communication style and the importance of maintaining operational secrecy. He emphasized his loyalty to the President while deflecting questions about potential unlawful orders, referencing his own experience during past protests
Trump's deployment of the National Guard to quell migrant arrest protests raises concerns about potential military overreach. Hegseth's refusal to answer whether he'd obey an illegal order to shoot protesters, during his confirmation hearing, is now highly relevant. Violent protests erupted in Los Angeles following the deployment of 2,000 troops, prompting fears of escalating military involvement in domestic affairs
Trump threatens expanded military deployment, escalating domestic troop presence after weekend golf outing. Following violent protests, the former president vowed to increase troop numbers and broaden their deployment, raising concerns about the militarization of domestic law enforcement
Trump's escalation of the California National Guard deployment: Ignoring Governor Newsom's lawsuit challenging the unauthorized deployment of 2,000 troops, Trump added 700 more Marines, defying legal requirements and intensifying the conflict
Trump's military deployment raises concerns about potential overreach. The legality of using troops against domestic protesters is questionable, especially without invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act. While Trump has labeled protesters "insurrectionists," he hasn't officially declared an insurrection, limiting the military's lawful actions. This ambiguity, coupled with Defense Secretary Hegseth's evasive answers regarding potential unlawful orders, highlights serious constitutional questions surrounding the use of force against American citizens
Senator Hirono condemns Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines without gubernatorial approval, questioning his motives and warning of a dangerous precedent. She argues Trump believes he's above the law, raising concerns about unchecked presidential power and the potential for abuse
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell attributed the Los Angeles violence to California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent target of President Trump's criticism
California's Sanctuary City Policies Under Fire: Trump & Hegseth Defend Federal Law Enforcement. Critics condemn Governor Newsom's leadership for undermining federal immigration laws, jeopardizing officer safety, and fostering a climate enabling violent protests. The deployment of federal and National Guard troops highlights the escalating conflict between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement
California Governor Newsom accuses Trump of escalating violence and deploying unnecessary National Guard troops to Los Angeles, claiming the President manufactured a crisis to incite chaos
President Trump's 2020 response to nationwide George Floyd protests, particularly those near the White House, fueled concerns about his willingness to use military force against American citizens. His anger over the demonstrations and potential orders to shoot protesters raise serious questions about the limits of executive power
Trump's 2020 Order to Shoot Protesters: Esper Reveals Shocking Demand. Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper revealed President Trump urged him to deploy National Guard troops to fire upon protesters, suggesting they shoot them in the legs. This alarming revelation raises serious questions about the use of military force against American citizens
On June 1 of that year, both Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley were present with Trump when he ordered Lafayette Square adjacent to the White House cleared so he could have his photo taken holding a Bible in front of a church there.
Both Esper and Milley publicly apologized for their presence in the days after and stated that the military had no role in that autumn’s election. The remarks incensed Trump and eventually led to Esper’s firing after Trump’s election loss in November.
No such pushback is likely to happen with Hegseth, a former Fox News weekend host, now in charge of the military.
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“Secretary Hegseth stands firmly with President Trump and will work with our interagency partners to restore order,” Parnell said.
Igor Bobic contributed reporting.
Source: Original Article