'It can happen here': Critics slam Pentagon proposal to put troops in US cities

12 August

A member of the national guard looks on while standing guard during the No Kings protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 14, 2025. REUTERS_Daniel Cole

The Washington Post reports the administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating a Pentagon proposal to establish a “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force” for rapid deployment into American cities in the event of protests, which are protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Social media blasted the plan to set aside 600 troops to be on standby at all times for deployment.

“They told me if I voted for Kamala Harris we would have martial law. They were right,” said Daily Kos reporter Oliver Willis on Blue Sky.

“Welcome to martial law. Yesterday it was DC. Where will it spread next?” asked another Blue Sky commenter.

Frequent Republican Party critic “LOLGOP” pointed out that right-wing Drudge Report also appeared hostile to the news judging by headlines proclaiming: “Widespread discontent among guardsmen,” “Trump’s America federalized police deploying troops on DC streets,” and “NYC, LA Chicago Next?”

“Unlike the Times, Drudge gets that fascism isn't about property values,” LOLGOP commented.

The plan calls for splitting the 600-troop battalion into two groups of 300 and stationing them at military bases in Alabama and Arizona, with purview of their respective regions east and west of the Mississippi River. Federal documents project costs for such a venture to run in the “hundreds of millions of dollars" should military aircraft and aircrews be prepared around-the-clock for transporting troops.

Other critics quickly sounded off on the proposal.

“'Forming a Pentagon reaction force' is not what you do when you're worried about carjackings,” commented Atlantic writer Jonathan Chait.

Dick Lavine, a senior fiscal analyst and former senior researcher for the Texas House of Representatives, referenced arguments that authoritarianism can indeed blossom in the U.S. under the right conditions.

“It CAN happen here,” Lavine posted on X.

Read the full Washington Post report at this link.

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