Wray and Mayorkas Were Set to Testify Today. They Didn't Show Up.
Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Attorney General Nomination
Bucks County Dem Apologizes for Trying to Steal the PA Senate Race
Homan Says They'll 'Absolutely' Use Land Texas Offered for Deportation Operation
For the First Time in State History, California Voters Say No to Another...
Breaking: ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant
Begich Flips Alaska's Lone House Seat for Republicans
It's Hard to Believe the US Needs Legislation This GOP Senator Just Introduced,...
FEMA Director Denies, Denies, Denies
The System Finally Worked for Laken Riley -- Long After Her Entirely Avoidable...
Gun Ownership Is Growing Among This Group of Americans
We’ve Got an Update on Jussie Smollett…and You’re Not Going to Like It
Here’s How Many FCC Complaints Were Filed After Kamala Harris’ 'SNL' Appearance
By the Numbers: Trump's Extraordinary Gains Among Latinos, From Texas to...California?
John Oliver Defended Transgender Athletes Competing in Women’s Sports. JK Rowling Responde...
Tipsheet

WH Gives Troops Permission to Use Force at Border

The Trump administration will allow U.S. troops on the Southern border to use force if necessary to help protect Border Patrol officers if their safety is endangered by migrants.

Advertisement

Defense Secretary James Mattis said, however, that the military’s mission at the border had not changed. 

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly signed the order, which says military personnel may use “a show or use of force (including lethal force, where necessary), crowd control, temporary detention and cursory search” to protect Customs and Border Protection personnel.

“It is not an unreasonable concern on the part of the president that we may have to back up Border Patrol,” Mattis said, referring to incidents between caravan migrants and Mexican authorities earlier this year. 

But he said he had not altered the orders of the approximately 5,800 active-duty troops arrayed across the southern border, most of whom are not armed and have been performing functions such as stringing concertina wire, building barriers and transporting Border Patrol agents. …

Critics have raised questions about the need to use active-duty troops for a mission already involving Border Patrol agents and National Guard personnel, citing concerns the deployment could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, a law limiting military activities within the United States. (Washington Post)

Advertisement

Mattis said troops would not be serving in a law enforcement role. 

“We are not doing law enforcement. We do not have arrest authority,” Mattis said. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement