Will Trump Use the US Military for Mass Deportation?

Few would argue against the need to protect our southern border from illegal immigration. However, we must be cautious about placing one of America’s most respected institutions—the U.S. military—in opposition to its own citizens, including children of migrants born in the United States.

President Trump’s proposal to employ the military for mass deportations raises profound legal, moral, and economic concerns. Such actions could undermine constitutional principles while potentially fueling inflation and deepening economic instability.

According to Diana Glebova and Jennie Taer of the New York Pos t, “Trump confirms plans to use military to deport migrants after declaring national emergency.”

To fully understand the ramifications of such a policy, it is crucial to examine its legality under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), its moral implications, and the likely economic consequences—including inflation and an economic downturn.

Legal Boundaries: UCMJ and Civilian Oversight

The UCMJ underscores the military's role under civilian control, emphasizing its duty to protect rather than police citizens. The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement without explicit congressional authorization. Deportations fall under civilian jurisdiction, requiring adherence to legal processes and constitutional rights.

Historical precedents highlight the importance of this separation. On June 1, 2020, during nationwide protests following George Floyd's death, law enforcement officers forcibly cleared demonstrators from Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. Subsequently, President Trump, accompanied by senior officials including General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walked across the cleared area to St. John's Episcopal Church for a photo opportunity. General Milley later expressed regret for his involvement, stating that his presence created a perception of the military being involved in domestic politics.

Moral Imperatives and the Human Cost

Deporting millions, including families with U.S.-born children, raises profound ethical concerns. The U.S. Constitution recognizes the rights of individuals born on American soil as citizens. Separating families—children from their undocumented parents—tears at the fabric of American values.

Furthermore, using military forces to enforce deportations could lead to volatile confrontations. Such actions would draw uncomfortable parallels to authoritarian regimes that suppress dissent through armed force, tarnishing America’s global standing as a beacon of democracy.

Economic Consequences: Inflation and Downturn Risks

Economically, mass deportations could exacerbate inflation and trigger a recession. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers accurately predicted the Biden administration's inflation crisis, emphasizing the twin forces of demand bloat and supply shocks. Mass deportations would worsen both.

Mass deportations would worsen both:

1. Demand Bloat
2. Supply Shocks

Combined with loose monetary policies and political uncertainty, these measures could undermine American economic stability. As Summers has argued during this weekend's CNN GPS program, the absence of rule-based economic policies in favor of ad hoc decisions diminishes market confidence, threatening long-term growth.

The GOP’s Historical Perspective

The Republican Party was born in opposition to FDR’s New Deal, which sought to expand government to stabilize the economy during the Great Depression. While Republicans often champion reduced government size, history shows a failure to achieve meaningful reductions in spending or debt. In fact, the modern GOP has paired low taxation with high spending, creating a deficit-fueled economic model.

Moral and Economic Lessons for the GOP

If the GOP seeks to maintain its ethos as the party of fiscal responsibility, it must resist policies that harm the economy and shred societal cohesion. Deportations enforced by the military not only risk constitutional violations but also invite long-term economic stagnation.

Final Word

Mass deportations enforced by the military would be a grave mistake, legally, morally, and economically. They risk turning the military into a political instrument, devastating families, and exacerbating inflation and economic instability. Instead, the U.S. must adopt comprehensive, rule-based immigration reforms that address labor shortages while upholding constitutional values. Only then can America balance its economic and moral imperatives, avoiding the pitfalls of authoritarianism and economic mismanagement.