Trump: Deploy National Guard on Election Day to stop ‘radical left lunatics’

During his first term, Donald Trump pushed the boundaries of military use for policy objectives. If he wins a second term, he and his supporters are planning to take this further, envisioning the military as a potent tool for domestic deployment.

He has committed to bringing thousands of troops home from overseas to secure the U.S. border with Mexico. Additionally, he has considered utilizing military forces for domestic initiatives, including deportations and managing civil unrest. There are discussions about purging military officers who oppose his ideology.

Trump's approach represents a significant shift in the military's role within American society, raising serious concerns about the implications for both U.S. global standing and the restrictions traditionally placed on domestic military use.

As his campaign progresses against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump has vowed to take aggressive action against undocumented immigrants. In a recent rally in Colorado, he described Aurora as a “war zone” controlled by Venezuelan gangs, despite local authorities deeming the area safe. “I will rescue Aurora and every town that has been invaded and conquered,” he declared, promising to imprison or deport what he called “vicious criminals.”

In a Fox News interview, when discussing potential disruptions on Election Day, Trump pivoted to what he termed the “enemy from within,” referring to “radical left lunatics” as a primary threat that might require National Guard or military intervention.

Trump has frequently invoked the “enemy from within” concept, recently using it to target Rep. Adam Schiff, a key figure in his impeachment process, who is now running for the Senate.

His campaign is crafting plans to realign military resources, even amidst ongoing global conflicts. Under his “Agenda 47,” Trump aims to fortify the U.S.-Mexico border by redeploying troops currently stationed abroad and promises a “war” on drug cartels, proposing naval blockades to inspect ships for fentanyl.

He also intends to leverage the National Guard and potentially the military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

While details of these plans remain undisclosed, Trump’s allies describe them as a comprehensive initiative that would deploy federal resources in unprecedented ways. Ron Vitiello, a former ICE director under Trump, suggested a coordinated effort involving the Justice Department, Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense.

Although past administrations have used military assets at the border, Trump’s proposals mark a significant escalation of military involvement in domestic affairs, alarming human rights advocates. “They are promising to use the military for mass raids on American families reminiscent of some of the darkest chapters in our history,” warned Todd Schulte of FWD.us, an immigration advocacy group.

In Congress, Republicans largely support Trump’s plans, with Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina asserting, “The reason I support Donald Trump is he will secure the border on Day 1.” Some Republicans argue that the current immigration situation warrants military action, with North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd labeling it an invasion.

However, Trump's strategy of reallocating military resources could deepen divisions within the GOP between traditional foreign policy hawks and proponents of Trump's isolationist “America First” agenda. Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, emphasized that active-duty troops should not be sent to the border, contrasting with Trump’s stated intentions.

In the Senate, traditional Republicans advocate for border security efforts led by Homeland Security, rather than the Department of Defense.

Trump’s military ambitions may extend beyond border issues. Amidst escalating threats to his safety, his aides have requested military aircraft for his transportation, highlighting security concerns.

During his first term, Trump sought military deployment in response to civil unrest, facing resistance from military leaders like Gen. Mark Milley, who emphasized the military’s oath to uphold the Constitution.

Implementing Trump's proposals would likely require invoking emergency powers or wartime authorities, such as the Alien Enemies Act or the Insurrection Act, which permits military use against U.S. citizens. The latter was last enacted during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

In light of Trump’s potential second term, Democrats in Congress have attempted to update presidential powers related to military use, with limited success. This has led to warnings about the diminished safeguards against military overreach, as Trump has shown a capacity to reshape institutions to fit his agenda.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized Trump’s misunderstanding of the military as a tool for personal objectives rather than national defense. Conversely, Rep. Dan Crenshaw reflected a growing acceptance within the GOP of military deployment to address immigration and drug trafficking issues, stating, “Whatever fixes the border, I think we’re OK with.”