Homeland Security seeks weapons, drones for LA immigration crackdown
The request from Homeland Security, confirmed by a Defense official, also seeks "drone surveillance support," direction to troops on detaining or arresting "lawbreakers," and graduates from an organization like the Marines' School of Advanced Warfighting School for setting up a joint operation center.
It's unclear what type of weapons Homeland Security officials are seeking for their immigration crackdown in California. Also unclear: who would use them and who they would be used against.
Pentagon officials are reviewing the request, according to the official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Wednesday, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, asked Hegseth if he would authorize drones and the use of "military forces to detain or arrest American citizens?" Reed is a member of the Senate Defense Approprations subcommittee and the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.
Hegseth did not answer directly, saying, "Senator, every authorization we've provided, the National Guard, and the Marines in Los Angeles is under the authority of the president of the United States. Is lawful and constitutional."
Troops enforcing laws
Active-duty troops are generally barred by federal law from participating in law enforcement operations, based on century's old tradition separating the military from domestic policing. There is an exception under the Insurrection Act that allows the president to use the military to put down an internal rebellion. National Guard troops have fewer restrictions.
News that Homeland Security officials want ammunition, drones and combat expertise follows another request it made of the Pentagon. That one seeks for the first time more than 20,000 National Guard troops for their "support of interior immigration enforcement operations." That could put Guardsmen far from the southern border -- where they have supported enforcement operations for years -- and thrust them into center of the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration in American cities.
More: Trump wants 20,000 troops to hunt, transport immigrants. Cost estimate: $3.6 billion
It's not a given that these requests will be granted in part or in full. Pentagon officials review the proposals and decide what the military can spare without compromising its mission.
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