Several military officials testified before the U.S. Senate Armed Services committee on Thursday about the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guards in states.
In September, President Donald Trump spoke to military leadership and suggested the National Guard use U.S cities as military training grounds.
So far, as troops have been deployed, officials say their duties have been limited to protecting federal buildings.
But Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, questioned General Gregory Guillot on what could happen if Trump’s suggestion became an order.
“I don’t mean it as a hypothetical and even if there was illegal activity, that could be viewed that that person is a criminal. I’m asking specifically: Is it OK to regard U.S. citizens as enemies?" Kelly said.
“No sir," Guillot said. "We defend the United States and U.S. citizens. We do not view them as enemies."
Guillot said there is no policy or precedent for using American communities as training grounds.
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