Rep. Smith on the ‘Immigrant Purge:’ Trump Is Using the ‘U.S. Military for Domestic Law Enforcement,’ They’re Not Trained for That

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
SHARPTON: “Now, finally, congressman, defense secretary Pete Hegseth has also ordered the nearly 2000 National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. to start carrying weapons. the White House is also saying up to 1700 National Guard troops will be mobilized in 19 states to assist with mass deportations. You know what the mission of the National Guard has traditionally been? You understand the challenges it faces with recruitment and retention. Are you concerned with how the president and some Republican governors have begun to utilize the National Guard at this moment?”

Smith: “Very concerned. I mean, there are two huge problems here. Number one, we are using the United States military for domestic law enforcement. They are not trained to do that. And also the second big problem is this is Trump basically giving himself a national police force. He’s certainly doing it with the guard. He did it with the active duty marines in Los Angeles. But when you look at what ice is doing, it’s certainly ice. They’re hiring a lot more agents, but he’s using every conceivable federal agency the dea, the atf, the postal inspector service to go out into our community and violate people’s rights to pick them up off the streets with no due process and lock them up. This is Donald Trump building a national security force that will serve his interests and not the interests of the American people. And what’s he going to do with that? Well, I think January 6th, 2021 gives us a sorry, a hint, a clue as to what he might do with it. So, look, this is not what the military is supposed to be doing. First of all, it’s dangerous in the communities. Second of all, Trump is using it to enhance his own power, which we should all be concerned about. And look, you know, you know, you’ve been in New York City, you know, Washington, D.C. look, crime is a problem. Fascism isn’t the answer. And that’s the message I hope Democrats send out. That’s the crimes. Nothing to worry about. We got no problems. No. But if you want to get after crime, it’s simple. Hire more police and build stronger communities. Don’t send in the military. That should be our. That should be our approach to the issue.”