Trump Czar Floats Military Support For Deportation Operations
Tom Homan, the newly appointed border czar for President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, has suggested the possibility of using U.S. military assets to aid in deportation operations. Homan, who previously served as Acting ICE Director, detailed the concept in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Homan said the use of military resources, including bases, is being considered, pending congressional funding decisions. He noted that previous administrations, including those of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, used military bases to house both illegal immigrants and refugees.
While the military is barred from making arrests, Homan outlined their potential role in providing logistical support, such as detaining individuals on military bases or transporting deportees to their countries of origin. “The military could act as a force multiplier,” he stated, highlighting the efficiency they could bring to large-scale deportation operations.
President-elect Trump has made bold immigration promises, including the largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history and completing the southern border wall. Declaring a national emergency on immigration is also on the agenda, which would allow the administration to bypass Congress to secure Department of Defense funding.
Homan’s remarks underscore the administration’s determination to address immigration challenges aggressively. By involving the military, the administration could expand its enforcement capabilities significantly.
The idea has raised questions about the limits of military involvement in domestic matters, with some viewing the proposal as a test of how far the administration can go in using military assets for non-traditional purposes.
