White House Authorizes Lethal Force At Mexican Border
Troops sent to the border have been authorized to use lethal force to stop immigrants from entering the country, according to the New York Post. Legal experts say this is a potential violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of military force being used for civilian law enforcement.
The cabinet order was signed by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, and gives military personnel the authorization to “perform those military protective activities that the Secretary of Defense determines are reasonably necessary.”
That includes “a show or use of force (including lethal force, where necessary), crowd control, temporary detention and cursory search,” according to the exact text of the order.
