The move suggests Donald Trump is doubling down on his claimed crime emergency in the nation’s capital after the election.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the National Guard to begin using boats, several dozen marked police cars, humvees and light medium tactical vehicles in the nation’s capital — an escalation of the troops’ presence that could further blur the line between their military and law enforcement role.

It’s not clear why the Trump administration is making the move now. The Oct. 29 memo obtained by POLITICO detailing the expansion doesn’t provide any further details beyond doubling down on Trump’s plan to use the National Guard to crack down on what he’s called a “crime emergency”in the nation’s capital.

The beefed-up presence, which will be in place through the end of the year, would see members of the National Guard driving vehicles typically used by U.S. troops on battlefields like Iraq and Afghanistan on city streets to support law enforcement officers making drug busts, though they are not allowed to pursue suspects or make arrests.

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[–] 116 points 1 day ago (27 children)

To be honest, I’m a little worried that Republicans aren’t denying election results. This is their entire MO, they’e still kind of at the height of their power, and they are the most rampantly criminal administration in history and have done everything in their power to avoid accountability so far. Narcissists and dictators don’t just give up, they will do whatever they can to avoid accountability.

And they’re just taking this lying down? Being normal about it? I’m getting a little worried they have a plot behind the scenes to keep power. Whether it be not seating reps on the 3rd, or something even worse.

Please assuage some of my fears.

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  • [–] 29 points 1 day ago (3 children)

    I was really really surprised when Trump didn't immediately call the election "stolen". I figured that it might have been because he's so narcissistic that he didn't care because it wasn't an election for him specifically.

    But, with all the military mobilisation I'm thinking along the same lines as you: what're they up to? Obviously a coup, but how and when?

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