Ranking Democrat On House Armed Services Committee Investigating Trump

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The Democrats cannot get into the leadership of the House of Representatives soon enough. With Donald Trump authorizing lethal force against legal asylum seekers and tear gassing infants and children, he is simply out of control. This is not our America. Soon-to-be chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), is ready to move forward.

Smith has called for additional information about POTUS’ use of lethal force on the border. The representative may go from there to a House investigation into this administration’s actions against legal asylum seekers:

‘NEW: Rep. Adam Smith, ranking Democrat on House Armed Services Committee, calls for more information on policy change authorizing use of lethal force at the southern border.‘

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Trump tweeted earlier:

‘There are a lot of CRIMINALS in the Caravan. We will stop them. Catch and Detain! Judicial Activism, by people who know nothing about security and the safety of our citizens, is putting our country in great danger. Not good!’

Chief of Staff John Kelly signed a memo that allowed troops at the border to use lethal force, if necessary. Many legal experts warn this is against the Posse Comitatus Act. There are about 5,900 active-duty troop and 2,100 National Guard forces deployed, according to The Military Times:

‘…violation of the Posse Comitatus Act occurs (a) when the Armed Forces perform tasks assigned to an organ of civil government, or (b) when the Armed Forces perform tasks assigned to them solely for purposes of civilian government…(but)  the law also allows the president “to use military force to suppress insurrection or to enforce federal authority.’

Military troops have always been able to defend themselves against violence. Yet, the armed services have never been tasked with defending border agents. Giving the thousands of deployed active-duty troops, such an order created a whole new scenario.

Defense Secretary James Mattis confirmed that these were indeed the new White House guidelines. He noted that most troops were not armed. In addition, the military would be required to avoid acting as U.S. law enforcement agencies. Thus far, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has not made such a request.

Mattis added, according to USA Today::

‘I now have the authority to do more. Now we’ll see what she asks me.’

Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, said this action had “grave consequence”:

‘The authorization of the military to use force within domestic borders is a matter of grave consequence for a nation under civilian rule. Kelly’s order should be published immediately for the public to understand exactly what he has authorized, whether the Trump administration is violating the law and what risk of violence may await asylum-seekers.’

President of Human Rights First, Michael Breen, said that Trump was “upping the ante” against immigrants:

‘This legally dubious “cabinet order’ creates confusion, undermines morale, and may very well lead to violence. Americans should be thankful that those currently serving are likely to exhibit more judgment than their commander in chief.’

This White House administration action inflamed Twitter world. Check out some of our favorites below:

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Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.