By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Donald Trump’s stated plans for a second term include illegally deploying the military against domestic protesters and for mass deportations, mirroring his prior attempts to do so. His threats, fueled by a recent Supreme Court decision granting presidents near-absolute immunity, raise serious concerns about the erosion of checks and balances. The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits such actions, but Trump’s potential invocation of the Insurrection Act, particularly its vaguely worded sections, presents a significant loophole. Despite proposed reforms to the Insurrection Act, the current political climate makes such changes unlikely, leaving the military and the nation vulnerable to unconstitutional orders.
Read the original article here
Trump isn’t hiding a plan to use the military to quash protests and deport immigrants; his past rhetoric and campaign promises make this quite clear. He’s openly discussed deploying the military against perceived enemies within the country, a tactic many find alarming. The suggestion that this is a secret plot is simply inaccurate.
Trump’s rhetoric regarding the use of the military has frequently been extreme. He has explicitly expressed his desire for a military loyal only to him, regardless of the implications for democratic norms and the constitutional separation of powers. This desire is directly related to his plans for dealing with immigration.
His stated aim is to deport all immigrants, not just those who are undocumented. This sweeping goal, coupled with the expressed intent to federalize National Guard units in oppositional states, points to a highly centralized and forceful approach to immigration enforcement. There’s no subterfuge involved; it’s all laid bare in his statements and actions.
The notion that this plan is somehow covert is demonstrably false. Trump has repeatedly voiced intentions to utilize the military for purposes exceeding their traditional role, even suggesting the replacement of existing military leadership to achieve his objectives. His repeated references to dealing with internal enemies further underscores this ambition.
The idea that the military would unquestioningly obey such orders is a point of contention. Many military personnel have an oath to uphold the Constitution, a commitment that would likely be challenged by unlawful actions against citizens. This internal conflict within the military itself presents a significant obstacle to Trump’s stated plan.
The claim that a majority of Americans support Trump’s immigration and military plans is simply not true. His support base, while significant, doesn’t constitute a majority. Ignoring the views of a large portion of the population who oppose his actions makes his plan inherently risky and potentially destabilizing.
Even if the military were willing to participate, the consequences of such actions would be far-reaching and unpredictable. Significant economic disruption, including capital flight and market instability, are highly probable. The potential for widespread civil unrest and international condemnation is equally significant.
Claims that he has “hidden” these plans are easily disproven by his extensive public pronouncements. His past actions and public statements show a clear pattern of utilizing inflammatory language and strong-arm tactics. His campaign was built around these same controversial issues.
The idea of the military being deployed to suppress domestic protests and carry out mass deportations is alarming, but it’s hardly a secret. Trump has repeatedly campaigned on a platform that essentially outlines exactly that scenario. There’s no need for hidden agendas when he’s so explicitly voiced them in public forums.
The potential for a severe backlash against such actions should not be underestimated. The possibility of widespread resistance from within the military itself, coupled with civil disobedience from citizens, suggests that the execution of this plan would be far more difficult than he seems to believe. The very real possibility of severe consequences, both domestically and internationally, strongly suggests that this isn’t a carefully concealed plan, but rather a recklessly stated ambition.
In conclusion, while the prospect of a military crackdown on protests and mass deportations is deeply concerning, the notion that it’s a hidden plan is demonstrably false. Trump has been consistently vocal about his intentions. The lack of secrecy underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for significant repercussions.