Unclassified documents obtained from two Defense Department officials by Newsweek support the conclusion that the sitting president’s plan to deploy troops to the southern border to repel refugees is “a waste of time” for which there is no evidence of need:
The U.S. intelligence community assessed that the “most likely course of action” was a dwindling of migrants as it reached the U.S. southern border, with limited transcontinental criminal organizations exploiting the group and “no terrorist infiltration,” an assessment that runs counter to past statements made by the president.
Trump’s political stunt is estimated to cost perhaps $50 million, a Pentagon official told Newsweek. Late Wednesday, Trump pledged to erect “a wall of people” to fend off women and children on foot. Needed, of course, because the physical wall he pledged in 2016 Mexico would pay to build does not exist.
The DoD document projects that of the originally estimated 7,000 migrants, “only a small percentage” will reach the border weeks from now.
And what is the military concerned about? The biggest border threat the military anticipates is from armed “patriot” groups claiming to be there in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents:
“Estimated 200 unregulated armed militia members currently operating along the southwest border. Reported incidents of unregulated militias stealing National Guard equipment during deployments. They operate under the guise of citizen patrols supporting CBP [Customs and Border Protection] primarily between POEs [Points of Entry],” according to the documents.
So, while Republican gubernatorial candidates Brian Kemp (GA) and Kris Kobach (KS) are watching like hawks for black and brown people “stealing votes” by voting, the military is more worried about armed crackpots stealing its stuff than women and children stealing into the country.
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Open in new tab The judge in the emoluments clause case cited this tweet from @realDonaldTrump to reject Trump's argument that any lawsuit would impose undue burdens on the presidency.
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) November 2, 2018
In this tweet, Trump actually invited a lawsuit from one of his enemies! He's got time, it seems. https://t.co/RTQbWUhahr