
Protesters raise their hands in front of military police during a demonstration on June 1, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Protesters raise their hands in front of military police during a demonstration on June 1, 2020 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)
Sen. Tim Kaine on Tuesday announced plans to introduce an amendment barring the American military from using force against U.S. protesters, a proposal that the Virginia Democrat said he "never thought" Congress would need to pass until he watched National Guard soldiers violently assault peaceful demonstrators in the nation's capital earlier this week.
"I never thought we would have to use the National Defense Authorization Act to make clear that the U.S. military shouldn't be used as an agent of force against American citizens," Kaine said in a statement. "I thought that would seem obvious to everyone."
"I'm going to be pushing to ensure the president can't treat the U.S. military as his personal palace guard to try to ward off peaceful protests," Kaine added.
The Virginia Democrat said the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to take up the NDAA--which sets the Pentagon's budget--some time next week.
In a video posted to his website Tuesday, Kaine said his amendment would ensure that no federal funding is used by the Defense Department to "marshal force against protesters" as they demonstrate nationwide against the police killing of George Floyd.
"We essentially can defund activities like that, and if you do they don't happen," said Kaine.
\u201cI never thought we would have to use the National Defense Authorization Act to make clear that the US military shouldn\u2019t be used as an agent of force against American citizens. But this is Trump\u2019s America\u2014and we need to put guardrails in place, now. https://t.co/HhqByXazX5\u201d— Tim Kaine (@Tim Kaine) 1591130838
Kaine's proposal came a day after Trump said in a speech at the White House Monday that he is "dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers" to Washington, D.C. to confront protesters.
Trump also warned that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy U.S. troops to any state that refuses to activate the National Guard.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced it had shifted 1,600 U.S. soldiers closer to the Washington, D.C. area.
"Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capitol Region but are not in Washington, D.C.," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement.
In a letter (pdf) Wednesday to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley, 20 Democratic senators and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) expressed "grave concern" over Trump's threat to use the centuries-old law to crush nationwide protests.
"The military should never be weaponized by the president to limit these expressions for liberty and justice," the senators wrote. "We believe it is antithetical to what those in uniform have sworn to protect and defend, and a serious threat to our democratic system."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Sen. Tim Kaine on Tuesday announced plans to introduce an amendment barring the American military from using force against U.S. protesters, a proposal that the Virginia Democrat said he "never thought" Congress would need to pass until he watched National Guard soldiers violently assault peaceful demonstrators in the nation's capital earlier this week.
"I never thought we would have to use the National Defense Authorization Act to make clear that the U.S. military shouldn't be used as an agent of force against American citizens," Kaine said in a statement. "I thought that would seem obvious to everyone."
"I'm going to be pushing to ensure the president can't treat the U.S. military as his personal palace guard to try to ward off peaceful protests," Kaine added.
The Virginia Democrat said the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to take up the NDAA--which sets the Pentagon's budget--some time next week.
In a video posted to his website Tuesday, Kaine said his amendment would ensure that no federal funding is used by the Defense Department to "marshal force against protesters" as they demonstrate nationwide against the police killing of George Floyd.
"We essentially can defund activities like that, and if you do they don't happen," said Kaine.
\u201cI never thought we would have to use the National Defense Authorization Act to make clear that the US military shouldn\u2019t be used as an agent of force against American citizens. But this is Trump\u2019s America\u2014and we need to put guardrails in place, now. https://t.co/HhqByXazX5\u201d— Tim Kaine (@Tim Kaine) 1591130838
Kaine's proposal came a day after Trump said in a speech at the White House Monday that he is "dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers" to Washington, D.C. to confront protesters.
Trump also warned that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy U.S. troops to any state that refuses to activate the National Guard.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced it had shifted 1,600 U.S. soldiers closer to the Washington, D.C. area.
"Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capitol Region but are not in Washington, D.C.," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement.
In a letter (pdf) Wednesday to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley, 20 Democratic senators and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) expressed "grave concern" over Trump's threat to use the centuries-old law to crush nationwide protests.
"The military should never be weaponized by the president to limit these expressions for liberty and justice," the senators wrote. "We believe it is antithetical to what those in uniform have sworn to protect and defend, and a serious threat to our democratic system."
Sen. Tim Kaine on Tuesday announced plans to introduce an amendment barring the American military from using force against U.S. protesters, a proposal that the Virginia Democrat said he "never thought" Congress would need to pass until he watched National Guard soldiers violently assault peaceful demonstrators in the nation's capital earlier this week.
"I never thought we would have to use the National Defense Authorization Act to make clear that the U.S. military shouldn't be used as an agent of force against American citizens," Kaine said in a statement. "I thought that would seem obvious to everyone."
"I'm going to be pushing to ensure the president can't treat the U.S. military as his personal palace guard to try to ward off peaceful protests," Kaine added.
The Virginia Democrat said the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to take up the NDAA--which sets the Pentagon's budget--some time next week.
In a video posted to his website Tuesday, Kaine said his amendment would ensure that no federal funding is used by the Defense Department to "marshal force against protesters" as they demonstrate nationwide against the police killing of George Floyd.
"We essentially can defund activities like that, and if you do they don't happen," said Kaine.
\u201cI never thought we would have to use the National Defense Authorization Act to make clear that the US military shouldn\u2019t be used as an agent of force against American citizens. But this is Trump\u2019s America\u2014and we need to put guardrails in place, now. https://t.co/HhqByXazX5\u201d— Tim Kaine (@Tim Kaine) 1591130838
Kaine's proposal came a day after Trump said in a speech at the White House Monday that he is "dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers" to Washington, D.C. to confront protesters.
Trump also warned that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy U.S. troops to any state that refuses to activate the National Guard.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced it had shifted 1,600 U.S. soldiers closer to the Washington, D.C. area.
"Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capitol Region but are not in Washington, D.C.," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement.
In a letter (pdf) Wednesday to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley, 20 Democratic senators and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) expressed "grave concern" over Trump's threat to use the centuries-old law to crush nationwide protests.
"The military should never be weaponized by the president to limit these expressions for liberty and justice," the senators wrote. "We believe it is antithetical to what those in uniform have sworn to protect and defend, and a serious threat to our democratic system."