Senator Paul rejects the use of the military for planned deportations

WASHINGTON – In a social media post last week, President-elect Donald Trump wrote “TRUE!!!” At the top is a statement saying his new administration is “prepared to declare a national emergency and use military force to respond.” to implement a mass deportation program.”

The details of Trump’s plan are not clear, but Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who is set to become chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, told CBS News’ Face The Nation on Sunday that he opposes the use of U.S. troops in such a way.

“If they send the army to New York and march 10,000 soldiers with semi-automatic weapons, I think that is a terrible image and I will be against it,” he said. “It’s not that I’m against removing people; I simply reject something that has been against the law for over 100 years, namely the use of the army.”

Gary Barthel, a military law expert and managing partner of the Military Law Center, said federal law prohibits the president from using troops for law enforcement, but the military can take on an administrative role.

“They could monitor the border like they are currently doing,” he said. “They can assist with transportation and other administrative means, but they cannot be used in a manner where they go out, kick down doors, make arrests or perform tasks that law enforcement or civilian law enforcement agencies would typically perform.”

Trump and his aides have said the Insurrection Act, or the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, would allow Trump to involve U.S. troops in immigration enforcement, but Barthel said that would lead to legal challenges he believes would be successful.

When asked about the potential of representing the National Guard, Paul said he doesn’t like the militarization of police, be it the Army or the National Guard.

He said he would recommend using the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Border Patrol instead.

Spectrum News has reached out to Trump’s team for comment.