| WASHINGTON — At an unprecedented gathering at U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico today, President Trump declared to military leaders that the U.S. armed forces “should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds.” This last-minute assembly forced nearly 800 generals and admirals to abandon critical missions worldwide, pulling military leadership away from real national security threats at home and abroad. In response, the Not Above the Law coalition’s co-chairs – Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen; Praveen Fernandes, Vice President of the Constitutional Accountability Center; Kelsey Herbert, Campaign Director at MoveOn; and Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America – released the following statement: “Trump’s suggestion that U.S. cities should serve as military ‘training grounds’ represents a fundamental betrayal of American values. Our military exists to defend our nation and protect our freedoms, not to practice combat operations against our neighbors in our communities. “This dangerous rhetoric delivered during an unprecedented gathering reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of our military’s purpose and the people it serves. Make no mistake: this isn’t about public safety – it’s about turning our own military into a force to be used against Trump’s perceived political opponents or anyone who questions his administration. “Americans cannot stay silent when our leaders express plans to use our military against us. We must reject any attempt to normalize this outrageous and unlawful directive.” For questions about our work to hold Trump accountable or to request an interview with a Not Above the Law coalition leader, please email press@focalpointstrategygroup.com. |
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