Cotton reflects on a 2020 op-ed with a new essay titled ‘Send in the Troops’

Sen. Tom Cotton Urges Trump to Deploy Military Forces in Response to Protests

In a recent piece for the Wall Street Journal, Senator Tom Cotton implored President Donald Trump to “send it to the military,” echoing a call he made back in 2020 related to unrest portrayed in the New York Times.

The Arkansas Republican’s essay comes after Trump dispatched the National Guard and Marine troops to Los Angeles due to escalating anti-ICE protests that overwhelmed local law enforcement. It’s interesting to note—Cotton’s observations resemble past arguments he made amidst the Black Lives Matter protests that rocked major cities during the summer of ’20.

“Perhaps it’s time to actually deploy the troops,” Cotton asserted, suggesting that inaction might embolden certain groups.

Interestingly, the New York Times faced criticism over its editorial choices after Cotton’s previous op-ed advocating for military action against demonstrators sparked considerable debate.

This time around, Trump hasn’t invoked the Rebellion Act of 1807, yet he admitted he was taking steps to bolster support for law enforcement. Cotton argued that despite criticism from Democrats, Trump possesses the legal authority to activate such measures when deemed necessary.

Cotton also plans to propose a new law that would “raise penalties for mobs attacking law enforcement,” emphasizing that such actions could lead to deportations for those involved in riot-related crimes.

You know, it’s not just about tough laws; Cotton pointed out that recent Republican budget proposals include extra funding for immigration enforcement to allow repatriation of unlawful criminals.

“These concepts are common sense, but, like several years ago, Democrats seem to overlook them. It’s not really ‘inflation.’ [California Governor Gavin] Newsom mentioned needing to support law enforcement to uphold federal regulations and keep the public safe. We really must ensure peace,” Cotton remarked.

Interestingly, Cotton’s earlier op-ed, titled “Send in the Troops,” advocated for a strong show of force in response to agitation following George Floyd’s death, which generated intense backlash—both from liberal commentators and even some staff members at the New York Times who felt uncomfortable with the implications of his words.

The Times initially defended Cotton’s op-ed, citing the importance of diverse opinions, but later retracted it, claiming it didn’t meet their standards. This led to the resignation of former editor James Bennett following an internal uproar.

After admitting a misstep, the New York Times also weathered additional criticism from conservatives for featuring essays from controversial figures, suggesting a complicated landscape for editorial choices.