The provision, offered by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), head of the House Intelligence Committee, and approved by the Democrat majority, effectively removes all congressional oversight of many U.S. military operations on American soil.
According to USSA News, the amendment was first offered in 2020 after then-President Donald Trump threatened to deploy active-duty U.S. troops throughout the country to quell Black Lives Matter violence and rioting. While the House passed the amendment, it was eliminated during House-Senate reconciliation negotiations regarding the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
But now, Republicans claim that Schiff wants the measure added to the current NDAA so as to prevent proper congressional oversight of military operations on U.S. soil they are certain will be directed mostly at their conservative, Trump-supporting voters, under the false guise of "combatting domestic terrorism."
USSA News further speculates:
If signed into law, the amendment could impact the resolution of the Jan. 6th hearings and Republicans’ planned investigation into the Biden Administration’s mishandling of the migrant crisis at the southern border.
“This un-American amendment will fundamentally and irreparably erode Congress’ constitutional oversight responsibility,” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) argued. “Democrats led by Adam Schiff are attempting to cover up for the national security crises of the weakest commander in chief in U.S. history.”
“I’m very concerned about it, and Republicans need to fight back against it in the House and Senate to make sure it doesn’t pass,” noted Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.).“Democrats know we are going to take back the majority and are already trying to tie our hands when we do.”
But Lauren French, a spokeswoman for Schiff, claimed that Republicans were mischaracterizing the amendment, but given that Schiff is one of the most prolific liars in Congress -- having pushed the falsehood that Trump is a Moscow stooge who 'stole' the 2016 election -- her words are practically meaningless.
“The measure prevents presidents, of any party, from unlawfully using our nation’s armed forces in a domestic law enforcement capacity against Americans exercising their constitutionally protected rights,” said French. “This is something both parties should support…This amendment deters violations of the law by prohibiting the use of unlawfully obtained evidence by the government in a court or other legal proceeding.”
Schiff’s amendment also gained support from the Brennan Center for Justice, which said it would “establish clear consequences to deter the government” from unlawfully deploying the U.S. military during certain domestic situations while also preventing the suppression of evidence during such incidents, USSA News noted further.
The outlet adds an assessment of its own regarding the amendment.
"This is an irrational development. Congressional oversight is an integral part of the checks and balances system that keeps a government balanced. Reducing oversight means that presidential power could go unchecked," the site's analysis said. "And while we certainly do not want to encourage military deployment during law enforcement situations, removing oversight is just plain stupid."
In reality, deploying the military domestically is only constitutional under very limited circumstances. The president is the commander-in-chief and has the authority to order such deployments -- again, under very limited circumstances including instances of invasion and rebellion -- and would still retain control over those forces. But congressional oversight is also key to ensuring that presidents do not engage in Executive Branch overreach, and frankly, with Barack Obama essentially running the Biden regime in a third term, the last thing any American should want is a far-left potential dictator with unfettered power to go after political opponents using the full force of the U.S. military.
Schiff can't be trusted. Republicans are exactly right to be wary.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
