President Donald Trump has suggested that the US military could deploy to American cities to use them as ‘training grounds’ for irregular warfare against public protests, drawing a sharp rebuke from Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, a veteran of the Iraq War.
Speaking at a Virginia military base before hundreds of top officials, Trump proposed that “dangerous cities” such as Chicago could serve as practice areas for troops. “We have to handle it before it gets out of control,” he said.
Senator Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, responded bluntly in a CNN interview, calling Trump “an idiot” who does not understand the military. He insisted that service members would not fire on fellow Americans, as their oath is to the Constitution, not the president.
Gallego warned that anyone who used force against civilians would be held accountable, adding that most of his former comrades understand their constitutional duty. “When that moment comes, they’re going to live to that constitution,” he said.
The White House dismissed Gallego’s remarks, with spokesperson Anna Kelly noting his alignment with Chuck Schumer and accusing him of risking a government shutdown that would affect veterans and military pay.
