White House approves use of force, some law enforcement roles for border troops

[Roland99]

Source: Military Times

The White House late Tuesday signed a memo allowing troops stationed at the border to engage in some law enforcement roles and use lethal force, if necessary — a move that legal experts have cautioned may run afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act.

The new “cabinet order” was signed by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, not President Donald Trump. It allows “Department of Defense military personnel” to “perform those military protective activities that the Secretary of Defense determines are reasonably necessary” to protect border agents, including “a show or use of force (including lethal force, where necessary), crowd control, temporary detention. and cursory search.”

There are approximately 5,900 active-duty troops and 2,100 National Guard forces deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border,

Some of those activities, including crowd control and detention, may run into potential conflict with the 1898 Posse Comitatus Act. If crossed, the erosion of the act’s limitations could represent a fundamental shift in the way the U.S. military is used, legal experts said.

Read more: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/11/21/white-house-approves-use-of-force-some-law-enforcement-roles-for-border-troops/

---

Signed by John Kelly?!

[Louis1895]

1. Is the White House Chief of Staff in the military command structure?

This seems highly suspicious to me. What authority does a retired general have to give orders troops? Where is the chain of command is his position?

[underpants]

6. I can't find anything on a "cabinet order"

I dint remember hearing anything like that before.

[JesterCS]

2. Isn't that against Posse Comotatus(sp?)

I thought it was

[violetpastille]

3. +1

Some of those activities, including crowd control and detention, may run into potential conflict with the 1898 Posse Comitatus Act. If crossed, the erosion of the act’s limitations could represent a fundamental shift in the way the U.S. military is used, legal experts said.

We don't want martial law. This is not good.

[left-of-center2012]

4. It's against the Constitution

Not that old "Orange Glow" cares.

[RockRaven]

5. Here's something that shouldn't be news to DOD personnel - "I was following orders" isn't a defense

that works.

Following illegal instructions and giving illegal orders, no matter how many memos the White House writes, are crimes for which you will be held accountable. If not by this regime, then the next. Choose your actions with care, you will have to answer for them.

[LanternWaste]

7. the same idiots who believed Jade Helm was their holy call-to-arms.

The half-wits who cheer this are most likely the same simpletons who believed Jade Helm was their holy call-to-arms.

Idiots are fine. Self-righteous idiots are not.

[malthaussen]

8. he can sign all the memos he likes...

... or John Kelly can, it's still an unlawful order and troops have an obligation to disregard it. Whether they will or not, well, we'll see.

-- Mal

[elmac]

9. Military training to prepare for when tRump declares martial law.

after he's defies the investigation or loses an election, use the military as his own home guard, at least 2/3rds can be counted on to protect him.

[niyad]

10. pose comitatus????

[Roland99]

11. Twitler signed the directive. Kelly signed the directive to the pentagon

Link to tweet