General Mahoney on Military Deployments in US Cities and Constitutional Oaths

Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

• 🇺🇸 Senator Elissa Slotkin questioned General Christopher Mahoney, nominated as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
• 🏛️ The hearing touched upon the anniversary of 9/11 and the role of military advisors to the President.

Domestic Military Operations

• 🇺🇸 General Mahoney discussed the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles during civil unrest in June/July, operating alongside the National Guard.
• ⚠️ A DoD report highlighted the significant social, political, and operational implications of American military forces operating within US communities.
• 📜 The report cited a cautionary tale from 1997 involving a Marine Corporal and a civilian.

Mission Readiness and Reputation

• 🛡️ When orders were received for the LA deployment, discussions focused on mission accomplishment, and whether the Marines were trained, manned, and equipped.
• 🤝 Training emphasized de-escalation techniques and the use of personal protective equipment.
• 🎖️ A primary concern was ensuring Marines were ready to execute orders professionally and protect the reputation of the military.

Constitutional Adherence and Pushback

• ⚖️ Senator Slotkin posed a hypothetical: would General Mahoney push back against orders to change rules of engagement for domestic operations, such as arresting citizens or engaging in hot pursuit, if they contravened the Constitution?
• 🎯 General Mahoney stated his best military judgment would be based on facts, circumstances, and the task given.
• ✅ He affirmed that if asked to do something that risked his 38-year oath to the Constitution, he would adhere to his oath, both publicly and privately, as expected by the National Command Authority and the American people.