Donald Trump signaled strong support for a potential national emergency declaration on immigration, amplifying claims that his administration would utilize military resources to execute a large-scale deportation initiative.
Early Monday morning, he shared a post on his Truth Social platform, endorsing the idea with a decisive “TRUE!!!” The original post came from Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, a conservative group known for legal and social media activity on divisive issues, including challenging election integrity.
Trump’s Truth Social post fuels discussions about expanded border enforcement
Fitton’s message celebrated reports that Trump’s incoming administration was prepared to use emergency powers and military assets to counter what he described as a “Biden invasion” through a sweeping deportation strategy.
Trump’s apparent confirmation of the claim was later reinforced by his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. She announced plans for what she described as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting criminal migrants, drug traffickers, and human smugglers, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises.
Leavitt characterized his re-election as a clear mandate to fulfill these pledges. Immigration advocates, however, anticipate significant legal, logistical, and financial obstacles to such sweeping actions.
While the National Guard has supported border security for years, their role is generally limited to logistical tasks, allowing border officers to engage directly with migrants. Trump and his team have hinted at expanding military involvement to enforce immigration laws beyond the border.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric has also revived references to the Alien Enemies Act, an outdated law allowing the removal of foreign nationals from hostile nations. The U.S. hasn’t invoked such wartime measures since 1942, but Trump appears focused on creating high-profile actions to amplify his immigration agenda.
Experts believe that large-scale operations may not begin immediately but anticipate an effort to maximize visibility and public impact. One immigration advocate suggested that raids might serve as both a tactic to intimidate and a strategy to encourage voluntary departures. Despite these plans, logistical hurdles and budget constraints could limit the scope of enforcement.
Supporters of Trump’s policies see an opportunity for greater clarity in how deportation efforts will be conducted. Representative Pete Sessions emphasized the need for transparency and detailed planning to avoid public confusion.
He pointed to previous administrations, including Obama’s, where deportation policies were criticized for a lack of clear communication. Sessions called for a structured approach to reassure the public and effectively implement the process.
