In an interview with the press aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, Trump was asked about those previous remarks to military personnel in Japan.
“I would do that if it was necessary … but it hasn’t been necessary,” Trump said on the plane. “We’re doing a great job without that. … As you know, I’m allowed to do that.”
When the reporter appeared to ask him which branch of the military he would send in, Trump reverted to a familiar strategy of belittling journalists.
“Who are you with?” he asked. “The New York Times,” the reporter answered.
“That’s very good, very good,” Trump said. “Well, if you write it correctly, I’ll give you the answer.”
“If I want to enact a certain act, I’m allowed to do it,” he continued, claiming 50% of presidents have exercised that right.
“And I’d be allowed to do whatever I want but we haven’t chosen to do that,” he said. “… And the courts wouldn’t get involved. Nobody would get involved. And I can send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I can send anybody I wanted.”
Aboard the USS George Washington in Yokosuka on Tuesday, Trump told troops:
“We’re sending in our National Guard, and if we need more than the National Guard, we’ll send more than the National Guard, because we’re going to have safe cities. We’re not going to have people killed in our cities. And whether people like that or not, that’s what we’re doing.”
Trump has deployed the National Guard to Democratic strongholds such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago over the objections of leaders there.
Forget BallroomsHelp Build aNewsroom
Your SupportFuelsOur Mission
Your SupportFuelsOur Mission
Become a HuffPost Member
When power gathers under golden ceilings, real journalism stands outside, asking the questions that matter. Join HuffPost Membership and keep independent reporting strong for everyone.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
Already a member? Log in to hide these messages.
The president’s domestic invasions amid immigration crackdowns inspired “No Kings” protests nationwide against his authoritarian-like rule this month.