Pentagon prepares scenario for Trump's return to the White House

Officials at the Pentagon are having informal discussions about what to do if President-elect Donald Trump issues controversial orders.

According to CNN on November 8, defense officials are now preparing for scenarios that could lead to major changes at the Pentagon. In addition, the US military agency is also wondering how to handle it if Mr. Trump issues controversial orders to the military.

Former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania pose for a photo with US soldiers during a visit to a US base in Iraq in 2018.

“We are planning for the worst-case scenario, but we don’t know how to execute it yet,” a defense official said. Trump’s election also raises the question of whether the president, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the U.S. military, issues an illegal order.

“The military must obey the law and not follow illegal orders. But what happens after that, will the senior military leaders have to resign, or will not following orders be considered abandoning the people?” another official told CNN.

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Previously, Mr. Trump had left open the possibility of using active duty forces to enforce domestic laws and implement mass deportation policies, while hinting at eliminating “corrupt individuals” in the military.

During his first term, Mr Trump was said to have had several tensions with senior leaders, including former General Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. Last month, Mr Trump said the military should be used to deal with what he called the "enemy within" and "left-wing extremists".

Legally, the US president can invoke the Insurrection Act, which states that in exceptional circumstances it is necessary to protect constitutional rights, the president can unilaterally deploy the military domestically. The US also has the Posse Comitatus Act - which prevents the deployment of the military to enforce domestic laws unless Congress approves - but this law has exceptions in cases of rebellion and terrorism, so the head of the White House can invoke the Insurrection Act to mobilize the military.

On November 5, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: "I have full confidence that our leaders will continue to do the right thing no matter what happens. I also have confidence that Congress will continue to do the right thing to support the military."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lau-nam-goc-chuan-bi-kich-ban-ong-trump-tro-lai-nha-trang-185241109082453941.htm