Concerns Over Military Orders in Senate Hearing
During a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan questioned Department of Defense officials for four minutes about purported illegal military orders. Her focus was on President Donald Trump’s actions, particularly regarding his authority to deploy the National Guard in a manner that may conflict with the desires of state governors.
Slotkin inquired, referencing a video, about the validity of Trump’s order for the National Guard to appear at polling sites. Charles Young, the Pentagon’s chief legal advisor, responded by indicating that federal laws restrict such an action, depending on the rank of the involved officials.
Young’s response included a hypothetical regarding the military’s presence at polling places, emphasizing that federal law prohibits soldiers being stationed there, though he acknowledged that circumstances could vary based on specific situations and state mandates.
When asked whether he might approve of deploying troops in locations like Chicago during elections, Young recalled instances from the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a shortage of poll workers, which allowed such measures.
Slotkin expressed concern regarding the implications of military presence at polling places. She reflected on statements made by Trump during his presidency that hinted at an “enemy within” after he suggested the election could be rigged, and how that rhetoric could create distrust among voters.
Slotkin stated that it is not the uniformed military that poses a problem but rather the leaders who direct their actions and missions. She, along with five other Democratic senators, recently produced a video urging military personnel to refuse any illegal orders to stay aligned with the Constitution. Yet, in previous discussions, she could not pinpoint any specific illegal directive issued by Trump.
Furthermore, Trump sought Supreme Court approval for the National Guard’s deployment in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Memphis. In Washington, D.C., he leveraged the Home Rule Act to authorize the National Guard’s use for federal purposes during emergencies.
