Trump confirms plans to use military to deport migrants after declaring national emergency

 President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Monday he would declare a “national emergency” to deport illegal migrants using “military assets” once he steps back into office early next year.

Trump made the statement on Truth Social, responding “TRUE!!!” to a post from Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton citing reports he would do so.

“GOOD NEWS: Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program,” Fitton wrote on the social media platform.

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Trump said he would declare a “national emergency” over migrant deportation.Getty Images

Trump has vowed to enact the largest deportation in history, starting when he takes the oath of office Jan. 20.

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Any attempt to use active-duty troops would be subject to legal challenges, as the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 limits the federal government from using the military to enforce domestic policy.

The act does not prohibit the National Guard from serving in a law enforcement capacity.

The president-elect has also said he would invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to dismantle criminal gangs operating on American soil. 

The act — which requires Congress to declare war — would allow Trump to detain and remove dangerous foreign nationals that are deemed a threat to the US. Trump has yet to say whether he would declare war on a specific country — such as Venezuela — to authorize the removal of migrants.

The former president is prioritizing the border in his transition plans and has created a new “border czar” position for former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Tom Homan, who will work with government agencies to secure both the south and northern borders.

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Migrants being deported to Mexico under Title 8 walk through the CBP Paso del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas.The Washington Post via Getty Images

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Texas National Guard patrol as they reinforce security with barbed wire and chain-link fencing to prevent migrants from crossing the border while hundreds of migrants camp near the Rio Grande on the border between Mexico and the United States in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on April 1, 2024.Anadolu via Getty Images

Homan has said he will work to remove illegal immigrants in the US illegally without regard for Democrat-run cities like New York claiming “sanctuary” status.

“I’ve been clear. President Trump’s been clear. Public safety threats and national security threats will be the priority because they have to be, they pose the most danger in this country,” Homan told “Fox & Friends” last week after being tapped for the czar position.

Homan told The Post he hopes Trump will use his authority to squeeze sanctuary cities by cutting off federal funding and filing legal action.

 “If they’re not willing to do it then get out of the way — we’re coming,” Homan said.

https://nypost.com/2024/11/18/us-news/trump-confirms-plans-to-use-military-force-to-deport-migrants-after-declaring-national-emergency/