Garamendi questions Pentagon on military use in immigration enforcement

U.S. Representative John Garamendi has expressed serious concerns over the use of military aircraft for deporting undocumented immigrants under President Donald Trump's executive order. In a letter to Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses, Garamendi criticized this approach as potentially unconstitutional and an abuse of presidential power.

"President Trump's use of military aircraft to enforce his immigration policy is deeply alarming, potentially unconstitutional, and a blatant abuse of presidential power," said Garamendi. He emphasized that the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits using active-duty military personnel for domestic law enforcement functions.

Garamendi highlighted the diversion of resources from critical situations such as firefighting efforts in Southern California and national defense readiness. "The American people deserve answers about what legal authority the Department of Defense utilized to authorize these activities," he stated, urging prompt clarification on the issue.

Reports have indicated that C-17s and C-130s were used for deportations following Trump's recent executive order. Additionally, approximately 500 Marines are on standby for wildfire assistance in California, with 1,500 active-duty troops sent to the U.S. border.

Garamendi's letter seeks clarity on whether the Department of Defense respects laws prohibiting military involvement in domestic policing and how these actions impact national defense readiness.