As the group of migrants from Guatemala headed toward the United States border in search of a better life without fear and starvation for themselves and their children continues their journey, Trump has ramped up the fear that criminals are walking thousands of miles to get into the country and wreak havoc.
Militia groups and far-right activists have already announced plans to make their way to the U.S.-Mexico border with the aim of preventing caravan members from entering the country.https://t.co/eJvnPRMaJf
— The Grey Man (@IntelOperator) November 3, 2018
A leaked military document, however, shows that the fear should center not around the migrants, but about the fanatical American Trump supporters who believe his fear-mongering and are headed to the border with guns and equipment they intend to use to stop the migrants themselves, despite Trump’s plans to install thousands of troops there.
The Washington Post reports that:
‘Gun-carrying civilian groups and border vigilantes have heard a call to arms in President Trump’s warnings about threats to American security posed by caravans of Central American migrants moving through Mexico. They’re packing coolers and tents, oiling rifles and tuning up aerial drones, with plans to form caravans of their own and trail American troops to the border.’
Militias starting to head to the border ahead of the migrant caravan https://t.co/DI2JuXxwXU
— Salvador Hernandez (@SalHernandez) November 3, 2018
A report from the Pentagon assessed the group of migrants and found that the greatest threat headed to the border are armed, unregulated militias such as the Texas Minutemen. The report warned that some of these militias are known to steal equipment from the military.
‘Estimated 200 unregulated armed militia members currently operating along the southwest border. Reported incidents of unregulated militias stealing National Guard equipment during deployments. They operate under the guise of citizen patrols supporting CBP [Customs and Border Protection] primarily between POEs [Points of Entry].’
RELEASED MILITARY DOCUMENTS RE: Refugees
•800-2000 miles away
•20% of 7000 *might* make it
•little criminal activity
•NO terrorists
•military more concerned with 200 militia members who are
•known to steal military equipment https://t.co/PKX9trdLrv— Randy #RESISTS (@RandyResist) November 2, 2018
While some in Texas are fine with untrained and unprepared trigger-happy militia members camping out an area that the migrant group will not reach for well over a month, and will have dwindled down to very small numbers at that point, others see them as the greater threat. One Republican landowner in Texas, 80-year-old Joe Metz, says his fear is not the immigrants crossing the border, but the unregulated militias headed to the area with weapons.
‘The militia just needs to stay where they are. We don’t need fanatical people. We don’t need anybody here with guns. Why do they have guns? I have dealt with illegals for 30 years, and all of them have been scared, asking for help. The militias need to stay up north where they belong. We have no use for them here. They might shoot someone or hurt someone.’
Gun-carrying civilian groups and border vigilantes have heard a call to arms in President Trump’s warnings about threats to American security posed by caravans of Central American migrants moving through Mexico. https://t.co/7ZrBXHM4B3
— Eugene Scott (@Eugene_Scott) November 4, 2018
If there’s anything this country does not need, it’s more threats of gun violence. These groups in no way are representative of the “well-regulated militia” mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
