Donald Trump confirms plan to use military for mass deportation

On his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump amplified an activist’s post that said he was ‘prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion’.

President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed that he plans to declare a national emergency on border security and use the US military to carry out a mass deportation of undocumented migrants.

Immigration was a top issue in the election campaign, and Mr Trump has promised to deport millions and stabilise the border with Mexico after record numbers of migrants crossed illegally during President Joe Biden’s administration.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Mr Trump amplified a recent post by a conservative activist that said the president-elect was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Alongside the re-post, Mr Trump commented, “True!”

Mr Trump has been announcing a cabinet featuring immigration hardliners, naming former Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting chief Tom Homan as his “border tsar.” Homan appeared at the Republican National Convention in July, telling supporters: “I got a message to the millions of illegal immigrants that Joe Biden’s released in our country: You better start packing now.”

Authorities estimate that some 11 million people are living in the United States illegally. Trump’s deportation plan is expected directly to impact around 20 million families.

While the US government has struggled for years to manage its southern border with Mexico, Mr Trump has super-charged concerns by claiming an “invasion” is underway by migrants he says will rape and murder Americans.

Trump has not elaborated on his immigration crackdown in any detail but during his election campaign repeatedly vowed to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to speed up deportations.

Mr Trump on Tuesday (AEDT) also returned to Fox News to people his cabinet, appointing Fox Business host Sean Duffy as his transportation minister. The former Wisconsin Representative and reality star is one of Mr Trump’s greatest defenders on cable TV.

Announcing his appointment on social media, Mr Trump said: “Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation.

“Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!”

AFP