Latest news with #JackReed
CNN
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
US military expected to announce two new zones where service members can detain migrants on southern border, officials say
The US Departments of the Navy and Air Force are expected to announce the establishment of two additional military zones along the US southern border this week, three US officials told CNN. The zones, which are known as National Defense Areas, will be attached to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, the officials said. The NDA around Joint Base San Antonio will include roughly 250 miles of the Rio Grande River, two of the officials added. The NDA near MCAS Yuma will extend over 100 miles along the border, the third official said. The new zones will bring the total count up to four, after the establishment of the Texas National Defense Area attached to Fort Bliss, Texas, in May, and the New Mexico National Defense Area attached to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in April. 'The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border,' US Northern Command commander Gen. Gregory Guillot said after the establishment of the Texas National Defense Area. 'This is the second area in which Joint Task Force – Southern Border service members who are already detecting and monitoring through stationary positions and mobile patrols nearby can now temporarily detain trespassers until they are transferred to an appropriate law enforcement entity.' US troops are prohibited from conducting law enforcement activities by the Posse Comitatus Act. But the defense areas are treated as extensions of military installations, allowing service members to temporarily detain migrants who are trespassing before handing them off to law enforcement, conduct cursory searches of trespassers, and conduct crowd-control measures. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the defense areas as a way to side-step the act. Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking member of the Senates Armed Services Committee, said last month that the NDAs 'evade the long-standing protections of the Posse Comitatus Act by allowing military forces to act as de facto border police, detaining migrants until they can be transferred to Customs and Border Protection.' 'In the Administration's telling, this approach permits military involvement in immigration control without invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807,' Reed said. 'This is both unprecedented and a legal fiction. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico also raised concerns to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth last month that the Trump administration is 'bypassing due process for individuals who either intentionally or unintentionally enter this newly restricted area.' Service members began directly detaining migrants in June. The Department of Justice only just got its first convictions related to trespassing in the NDAs this month. According to the Justice Department, two individuals pleaded guilty to charges including trespassing into the New Mexico National Defense Area. In both cases, the individuals were apprehended by Border Patrol agents. Dozens of national security charges against migrants were dropped by a judge in New Mexico earlier this month after they found little evidence that the migrants knew about the defense areas. The establishment of the new defense areas comes as over 4,000 National Guard troops and roughly 700 active duty Marines are currently mobilized in the Los Angeles area, in response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump ignites debate on presidential authority with Iran strikes and wins praise from Republicans
The instant divisions in the U.S. Congress reflected an already swirling debate over the president's ability to conduct such a consequential action without authorization from the House and Senate on the use of military force. While Trump is hardly the first U.S. president to go it alone, his expansive use of presidential power raised immediate questions about what comes next, and whether he is exceeding the limits of his authority. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'This was a massive gamble by President Trump, and nobody knows yet whether it will pay off,' said Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Advertisement Democrats, and a few Republicans, said the strikes were unconstitutional, and demanded more information in a classified setting. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said that he received only a 'perfunctory notification' without any details, according to a spokesperson. 'No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy,' Schumer said in a statement. 'Confronting Iran's ruthless campaign of terror, nuclear ambitions, and regional aggression demands strength, resolve, and strategic clarity.' Advertisement House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said that Trump 'misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East.' The quick GOP endorsements of stepped up U.S. involvement in Iran came after Trump publicly considered the strikes for days and many congressional Republicans had cautiously said they thought he would make the right decision. The party's schism over Iran could complicate the GOP's efforts to boost Pentagon spending as part of a $350 billion national security package in Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax breaks bill, which is speeding toward votes next week. 'We now have very serious choices ahead to provide security for our citizens and our allies,' Wicker posted on X. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune both were briefed ahead of the strikes on Saturday, according to people familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. Thune said Saturday evening that 'as we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm's way.' Johnson said in a statement that the military operations 'should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says.' House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Ark., said he had also been in touch with the White House and 'I am grateful to the U.S. servicemembers who carried out these precise and successful strikes.' Advertisement Breaking from many of his Democratic colleagues, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, an outspoken supporter of Israel, also praised the attacks on Iran. 'As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS,' he posted. 'Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.' Both parties have seen splits in recent days over the prospect of striking Iran, including some of Trump's most ardent supporters who share his criticism of America's 'forever wars.' Republican Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio posted that 'while President Trump's decision may prove just, it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional.' Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a longtime opponent of U.S. involvement in foreign wars, also posted on X that 'This is not Constitutional.' 'This is not our fight,' said Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Most Democrats have maintained that Congress should have a say, even as presidents in both parties have ignored the legislative branch's constitutional authority. The Senate was scheduled to vote soon on a resolution from Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine that would require congressional approval before the U.S. declares war on Iran or takes specific military action. Kaine said the bombings were 'horrible judgment.' 'I will push for all senators to vote on whether they are for this third idiotic Middle East war,' Kaine said. Democratic Rep. Greg Casar, the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also called on Congress to immediately pass a war powers resolution. He said politicians had always promised that 'new wars in the Middle East would be quick and easy.' 'Then they sent other people's children to fight and die endlessly,' Casar said. 'Enough.'
Reuters
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Live updates: 'No Kings' protests ahead of Trump military parade
What's happening? 'No Kings' rallies in hundreds of U.S. cities Military parade in Washington DC starts at 6:30 pm ET (2230 GMT) Troops, tanks and helicopters to mark Army's 250th anniversary It is also U.S. President Donald Trump's 79th birthday Parade's $25 million or more price tag criticized 15:36 EDT Pinned Coverage of rallies in West Palm Beach, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and other cities. Warning: possible profanity. Where will the military parade go? 14 minutes ago 15:41 EDT The parade route is relatively short - just about eight blocks along Constitution Avenue in downtown Washington DC. It starts at 6:30pm ET (2230 GMT) and is expected to last just over an hour. Why is the Army parade controversial? 22 minutes ago 15:34 EDT Idrees Ali The long-planned celebration in Washington for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary coincides with Trump 's 79th birthday on Saturday. Democratic lawmakers have said that Republican Trump is taking over the Army's birthday for himself. "This is Trump. This is all about his ego and making everything 'him,' which is, I think, a discredit to the military, the Army," said Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Critics also say it is a display of power that is wasteful, especially as Trump slashes costs throughout the federal government. Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, introduced a bill to prohibit the use of public funds for "displays of military force for personal glorification." 23 minutes ago 15:32 EDT Welcome to Reuters' live coverage of U.S. President Donald Trump 's military parade to celebrate the Army's 250 anniversary in Washington and the planned protests across the country. Tens of thousands of Americans attended rallies to protest Trump's aggressive approach in major cities from New York to Atlanta to Los Angeles. The protests came the same day that thousands of military personnel, vehicles and aircraft will march through and fly over Washington D.C., in a parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. Saturday is also Trump's 79th birthday. Anti-Trump groups planned nearly 2,000 demonstrations of varying sizes across the country to coincide with the parade. Many are taking place under the theme "No Kings," asserting that no individual is above the law. All planned "No Kings" protests in Minnesota were canceled following that Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said was the "politically motivated assassination" of one Democratic lawmaker and wounding of a second. People heading into Washington for the parade encountered a massive security presence, with some 18.5 miles (30 km) of 8-foot (2.4 m)-high black fencing, much of it reinforced with concrete traffic barriers. Stay with us as we bring you more updates.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reed calls Israeli raid on Iran a ‘success' but warns of consequences
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — While warnings of Iran's missile retaliation against Israel surfaced, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed was holding a news conference to share his concerns as the ranking Democrat of the Armed Services Committee. 'Iranians now will begin to, as I said, retaliate,' he said when he learned of the incoming attack. US helps Israel shoot down barrage of Iranian missiles The missile strike comes after Israel carried out what it called 'Operation Rising Lion.' The raid took out a significant part of Iran's nuclear power. Reed called it 'effective.' 'This success will further push back the Iranians and their ability to respond,' he said. 'But, I've learned from 20-plus years of covering conflicts in the Middle East that you also have to think about the day after.' In the wake of the attack on Iran, President Donald Trump said he had wanted Israel to delay its operation, especially as the U.S. was expected to have nuclear talks with Iran this weekend. Reed said he agreed with the president, but also warned Iran can find other ways to strike back that could further pull the United States into conflicts in the Middle East. 'The drive for nuclear weapons, I think, by the Iranians, might ironically even be accelerated,' he explained. 'They will be, I'm sure, beginning to coordinate with their proxy forces all over the region to see if they can mount attacks against the targets that they feel are appropriate.' MORE: Israel attacks Iran, killing at least 2 military officers Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Asharq Al-Awsat
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Senior US Democrat Condemns Israel's 'Reckless Escalation'
Democratic senators sharply criticized US ally Israel on Thursday for its strikes on Iran, as the White House distanced itself from the attack but Republican senators voiced gratitude to Israel. "Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence," Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island said in a statement. His comment came after Israel carried out a "preemptive" strike against Tehran's nuclear and military sites, in defiance of a call from US President Donald Trump to refrain from attacking Iran, AFP said. Reed, the top Democrat on the US Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that the "strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces." "While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer," he insisted. "I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control." Other Democrats also voiced alarm. "This action ordered by Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to deliberately undermine ongoing American diplomatic negotiations about Iran's nuclear program," Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey said on X. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut agreed. "This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making, and now the region risks spiraling toward a new, deadly conflict," he warned on X. He also took a political jab at the US president, insisting that Israel's decision to attack "is further evidence of how little respect world powers -- including our own allies -- have for President Trump." Republican senators responded as well, but with a very different tone. Tom Cotton of Arkasas insisted on X that "Iran is the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism, has the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands, and is rushing to build not only nuclear weapons, but also missiles that can strike the United States." "We back Israel to the hilt, all the way." Ted Cruz of Texas agreed. "Israel is doing a favor to America right now by taking out Iran's nuclear capacity," he said.
