Pentagon considers a quick-reaction force to deploy in US cities amid unrest, raising legal and political concerns
Donald Trump could expand the use of national guard troops in US cities even further, if a plan from the Pentagon comes to fruition.
The Washington Post, reporting on internal documents on Tuesday, says Pentagon officials are “evaluating plans” to create a “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force” that would deploy to crack down on cities in events of unrest or during protests.
The newly revealed plans come as Trump has used the national guard in ways beyond the norm. He deployed troops to Los Angeles against the state and city’s wishes to tamp down protests against immigration enforcement, and sent troops to Washington DC and took over the local police citing allegedly increased crime.
The Department of Defense would not weigh in directly on the idea of a “reaction force”.
