U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton is criticizing the Trump administration’s use of the military following the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles.
“There’s no United States Marine who signed up to face off against American citizens,” Moulton said, speaking on Morning Edition Friday. The North Shore congressman, who himself is a Marine, says some service members are questioning the legality of the deployment and are considering resigning.
“He’s taking our historically apolitical military and using it as his own political pawn,” he said. “This is dangerous, not just in the moment for the protesters in L.A.. It’s dangerous for the institution of our military. It’s dangerous for our democracy.”
Moulton said President Donald Trump is further politicizing the military with a parade Saturday that will feature thousands of soldiers and cost tens of millions. The parade is marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army — which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14.
“This is all just a show for himself, for his birthday. We don’t do military parades in our capital like you get in Russia, in North Korea,” Moulton said. “You know what Marines also don’t sign up to do? They don’t sign up to march in parades. We hate marching in parades.”
