Former President Donald Trump has faced criticism for his comments on using the U.S. military domestically, following Mexico’s decision to give its army more authority. In an interview with Fox News, Trump suggested that disruptions to Election Day could be handled by the National Guard or military, saying “they can’t let that happen.” This is reminiscent of a similar policy in Mexico, where the Senate recently approved reforms giving the armed forces control of the civilian-led National Guard.
Political scientists have expressed concerns about the potential implications of such a policy. Dr. Nathaniel Carrington, assistant professor of political science at Saint Louis University, noted that Trump’s proposals seem to erode the system of checks and balances and undermine an independent military. He suggested that Trump’s desire to deploy the military domestically for law enforcement purposes without Congress is “very authoritarian.”
Dr. Jeronimo Cortina, associate professor of political science at the University of Houston, also expressed concerns about the potential consequences of such a policy. He noted that the U.S. political system is based on the separation and balance of powers, and that any attempt to expand executive power without checks would be a “violation” of the Founding Fathers’ intent.
Cortina also highlighted the differences between the U.S. and Mexican contexts, citing the existence of organized crime in Mexico as a factor that might make the use of military authority more acceptable in some communities. However, he emphasized that the conversation about using the military internally is different in the two countries due to their distinct institutional settings and historical contexts.
Despite these concerns, Cortina does not believe that the Supreme Court would enact a law to give the president such power, citing the potential institutional repercussions of doing so. Instead, he views Trump’s comments as “more political rhetoric” rather than a serious proposal for policy change.
Overall, the debate surrounding Trump’s comments on using the military domestically highlights ongoing concerns about the balance of power in the U.S. and the potential risks of authoritarianism under his leadership. As Dr. Carrington noted, Trump’s proposals seem to follow from the idea that “the military is there to do the president’s bidding,” which undermines the principles of an independent military and the system of checks and balances.
Source: News Week
