Garamendi questions Pentagon on sending medical personnel to Guantanamo

U.S. Representative John Garamendi, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, has expressed concerns regarding the deployment of military medical personnel to Guantanamo Bay. In a letter addressed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Garamendi questioned the decision to send trained medical professionals to the detention facility.

Garamendi highlighted his apprehension by stating, “First, it was Trump’s use of military aircraft to enforce his immigration policy that was alarming and potentially unconstitutional. Now, the military is preparing to send trained medical professionals to the Guantanamo detention facility.”

He emphasized that the primary role of military medical staff is to support servicemembers and their families. Diverting these professionals from their usual duties could impact their ability to provide essential care. "While migrants detained at Guantanamo Bay undeniably deserve comprehensive medical care throughout their detainment," he continued, "it is unacceptable that military resources be diverted to fulfill this need."

The congressman criticized what he perceives as an inappropriate allocation of resources under President Donald Trump's administration. He stated: "The American people deserve answers about how the Department of Defense is using their tax dollars for President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Donald Trump is dragging us down this very dark path, and the American people must not accept this."

This correspondence follows earlier demands from Garamendi's office for explanations regarding the use of C-17s and C-130s in deportation efforts linked to Trump's Executive Order.