Defense Secretary James Mattis just finished up an on-the-record gaggle with reporters to discuss President Trump’s lack of visits to troops in war zones, U.S. military personnel on the southern border and the murder of Saudi journalist James Khashoggi.
First up on why the president hasn’t visited the troops in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, Mattis suggested that he told Trump not to go:
On Trump visiting a war zone, #Mattis said there have been times he has recommended the president not to go: "There are times I don't want him in certain locations to be frank with you for his security and the troops' security."
— Kristina Wong (@kristina_wong) November 21, 2018
Here’s the full exchange, although Mattis would not elaborate as to when or where he told Trump not to go:
JUST IN: Mattis says he has told Trump to not visit troops in combat zones at times, he revealed today to Pentagon reporters in another unannounced off camera gaggle. pic.twitter.com/1nOxBmMpQs
— Kevin Baron (@DefenseBaron) November 21, 2018
Regarding troops at the border, Mattis pushed back on a report that the White House had authorized the use of deadly force which would possibly “run afoul” of Posse Comitatus:
Mattis to reporters: "We’ll look at, what does DHS need—I now have that authority. There has been no call for any lethal force from DHS. There is no armed element going in. I will determine it based on what DHS asked for and a mission analysis. Relax. Don't worry about it, okay?" https://t.co/hvMyLih33e
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
Mattis explained that the White House order allows troops to come to the aid of a border patrol agent or other DHS employee who is under attack:
On detention: "I would put it in terms of minutes. If someone’s beating on a border patrolman and if we were in a position to have to have to do something about it we could stop them from beating on them and take them over and deliver them to a border patrolman."
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
Mattis insisted this wouldn’t violate U.S. law:
Mattis: "Theres no violation of Posse Comitatus. There’s no violation here at all."
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
Mattis went on to say that his mission nor the use of force rules have changed:
Have you expanded mission? Mattis: "I'm reviewing that now. If we add missions, we will brief you… as quickly as possible."
Says what has expanded is his authority, not mission. But DHS has to ask for stuff. "I now have the authority to do more, but [Nielsen] has to ask me."
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
The standing rules for use of force and mission-specific rules for use of force for troops the border haven't changed, Mattis says. "The rules have. not. changed," Mattis emphasizes.
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
Mattis pointed out that the troops aren’t armed anyway but only have shields and batons:
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis: US troops armed with batons and shields could back up Border Patrol https://t.co/laq5PbXLbU
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 21, 2018
And the secretary got a little salty with reporters over it when asked how troops would avoid a repeat of 1997 incident where U.S. Marines shot an American teenager thought to be a drug runner.
“I’m not going to dignify that, they’re not even carrying guns, for Chrissake,” Mattis said:
MATTIS just now: "We are not doing law enforcement. We do not have arrest authority. There is no arrest authority under Posse Comitatus for the federal troops—that can be done but it has to be done in accordance with the law. That has not been done nor has it been anticipated."
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
MATTIS on what 'backing up' CBP would look like if there's any clash with migrants: "Probably unarmed MPs with shields, batons. No firearms." But he emphasizes that he sees barbed wire is deterrent number one—"even cows are smart enough to walk through that stuff," he says.
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
“I’m not going to dignify that, they’re not even carrying guns, for Chrissake." –Mattis when asked what DOD is doing to prevent the recurrence of a 1997 incident where U.S. Marines shot and killed an American teenage shepherd who the Marines believed to be a drug runner.
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
Regarding the murder of Saudi journalist James Khashoggi, Mattis sounds like he’s not 100% convinced of the CIA’s version of events;
Mattis, asked if he believed the CIA or Saudi Arabia on the Khashoggi murder: "I don't think that had been fully established by either of those."
— Katie Bo Williams (@KatieBoWill) November 21, 2018
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Related:
James Mattis pulls no punches in description of Tree of Life shooter https://t.co/OuoZY4gQSd
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 29, 2018
A NONPARTISAN BOOM: Jim Mattis sets the record straight on if he's 'sort of a Democrat' or not https://t.co/h4EK6LgsTs
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 16, 2018
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