I read somewhere that Trump/Hegseth had plans to (or already had begun?) move military equipment across the U.S. to be more accessible to law enforcement in our largest cities. 😳 The EO about “strengthening police” definitely suggests that it could be true (I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it wouldn’t surprise me).
I read somewhere that Trump/Hegseth had plans to (or already had begun?) move military equipment across the U.S. to be more accessible to law enforcement in our largest cities. 😳 The EO about “strengthening police” definitely suggests that it could be true (I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it wouldn’t surprise me).
“The EO, Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens, increases militarized force and weaponry in protests and warrant executions.
[from a different paragraph, same article: ‘increases National security assets in local jurisdictions to assist state and local law enforcement’]
“Since congressional authorization in 1990, local law enforcement agencies have had access to excess military equipment through the Department of Defense’s 1033 program, often with little to no oversight.”
“The EO may reverse this trend and cause previously restricted military equipment to be distributed to local law enforcement without oversight.*. These types of military equipment are often used by local law enforcement for crowd control tactics during protests and the execution of warrants.”
(*In 2017 the Government Accountability Office was able to attain 1033 program equipment that was prohibited from transfer to law enforcement, demonstrating the lack of oversight. See, GAO “DoD Excess Property: Enhanced Controls Needed for Access to Excess Controlled Property” (Jul. 18, 2017) https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-532 )
This is all pretty scary; seems like taking military control of the country is front-of-mind for Trump and his goons. And, Trump will proclaim that “violent protests” call for “official combat operations”, military equipment is moved into cities, and the military and law enforcement will be ordered to disregard harm to civilians.
I believe that we still have military leaders who will refuse orders to act against American citizens, but that’s based on a dwindling faith in our democracy and rule of law. All of this seems surreal, but it’s not. These little boy-men want to play warrior and it makes me scared and really sad.
I read somewhere that Trump/Hegseth had plans to (or already had begun?) move military equipment across the U.S. to be more accessible to law enforcement in our largest cities. 😳 The EO about “strengthening police” definitely suggests that it could be true (I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it wouldn’t surprise me).
From https://www.naacpldf.org/case-issue/president-trumps-executive-order-on-policing-explained/
“The EO, Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens, increases militarized force and weaponry in protests and warrant executions.
[from a different paragraph, same article: ‘increases National security assets in local jurisdictions to assist state and local law enforcement’]
“Since congressional authorization in 1990, local law enforcement agencies have had access to excess military equipment through the Department of Defense’s 1033 program, often with little to no oversight.”
“The EO may reverse this trend and cause previously restricted military equipment to be distributed to local law enforcement without oversight.*. These types of military equipment are often used by local law enforcement for crowd control tactics during protests and the execution of warrants.”
(*In 2017 the Government Accountability Office was able to attain 1033 program equipment that was prohibited from transfer to law enforcement, demonstrating the lack of oversight. See, GAO “DoD Excess Property: Enhanced Controls Needed for Access to Excess Controlled Property” (Jul. 18, 2017) https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-532 )
And…
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is moving to terminate Pentagon offices and positions that focus on preventing and responding to civilian harm during U.S. combat operations, according to three defense officials.” (NYT gift link:) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/us/politics/hegseth-pentagon-civilian-harm.html?unlocked_article_code=1.E08.c1PW.rp7AxyYyVbmc&smid=url-share
This is all pretty scary; seems like taking military control of the country is front-of-mind for Trump and his goons. And, Trump will proclaim that “violent protests” call for “official combat operations”, military equipment is moved into cities, and the military and law enforcement will be ordered to disregard harm to civilians.
I believe that we still have military leaders who will refuse orders to act against American citizens, but that’s based on a dwindling faith in our democracy and rule of law. All of this seems surreal, but it’s not. These little boy-men want to play warrior and it makes me scared and really sad.