A Pentagon official has leaked military documents to Newsweek regarding “Operation Faithful Patriot” that prove Trump’s entire plan to send as many as 15,000 troops to the border between the U.S. and Mexico is a case of the president using the military for political purposes.
The Newsweek article with leaked Pentagon assessment papers on the border, including potential conflicts with trumps unregulated militia (Vigilantes). Military feels only a SMALL % of the caravan will even reach Mex/US border still 800/2,000 miles away.https://t.co/fMMDIkW8L6
— G.S. Stevens (@GarwoodStevens) November 2, 2018
A report from the Pentagon, which military leaders have been briefed on and, presumably, the president was briefed on it, as well, show that a very small number of migrants who are traveling with the caravan are likely to ever reach the border.
‘Operational documents sent to Newsweek by a Pentagon official outlining the deployment, dubbed Operation Faithful Patriot, reveal that the government continued its plans to send troops to the border despite anticipating that “based on historic trends…only a small percentage of migrants will likely reach the border.”’
New today at @Newsweek from me and @chantaladasilva – you can read the intelligence assessment used to prepare troops heading to the U.S. southern border. Also, they’re preparing for protestors and militia groups. #Migrant #Caravan #Trump #Military #Border https://t.co/Lo1Dlyy2KA
— James LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) November 1, 2018
Despite this, the president has continued with his plan to deploy the military against a group of people who are unarmed, even saying on Thursday that he will instruct the military to open fire against these civilians if they try to defend themselves by throwing a rock. The Pentagon papers clearly showed that the assessments show no real threat from the migrant travelers.
‘The Pentagon announced Monday that it would send around 5,200 troops to the border ahead of the arrival of as many as four migrant caravans making their way to the U.S.-Mexico border. But a Defense Department official with knowledge of the deployment told Newsweek that “the units deployed right now are of actual strength between 5,000 and 7,000. With another 7,000 on standby, who can deploy with 24-hour notice.”’
The Trump admin was informed that "only a small percentage" of the migrant caravan will likely make it to the border. That info was received before the admin deployed more than 5,200 troops to the border, according to documents obtained by Newsweek. https://t.co/isSyvFHhPr
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 31, 2018
If 7,000 members of the military are at the border when the migrants arrive, there will be more than four soldiers for every migrant who actually makes it to the U.S. border a month or more from now.
‘To put this into perspective, if the U.S. had estimated that around 7,000 migrants were traveling toward the border with the caravan as of October 25, then it would have also determined that fewer than 1,500 would be likely to make it to the country’s ports of entry. The intelligence assessment was still being briefed to commanders as of October 27, according to the documents.’
Trump has repeatedly denied that his plans for military action are related to the 2018 midterm elections.
‘This has nothing to do with elections. I’ve been saying this long before election[s]. I’ve been saying this before I ever thought of running for office. We have to have strong borders. If we don’t have strong borders, we don’t have a country.’
It is outrageous what the Democrats are doing to our Country. Vote Republican now! https://t.co/0pWiwCHGbh pic.twitter.com/2crea9HF7G
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2018
The leaked papers show that, once again, the president is clearly lying. This time, he’s putting the military’s, unarmed civilians at the border’s, and American citizens’ safety at risk to do so.
