Schneider Statement on President Trump’s Threat to Send Military Into States

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement:

"President Trump's bombastic threat on Monday to deploy the military to our states to ‘dominate' American citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble and petition their government for justice is as dangerous as it is outrageous. Furthermore, the President's use of extraordinary force against the peaceful protestors gathered outside the White House, purely for the sake of an empty photo opportunity, is another egregious misuse of his power. Governors of both parties have objected, and I applaud Illinois Governor Pritzker for calling out the President's inflammatory rhetoric.

"The fine men and women who serve in uniform swear an oath to our Constitution and commit to lay down their lives to defend it. Similarly, the people gathered across our nation calling for change are upholding the intentions of our Founders and seeking to create a ‘more perfect union.' We must not conflate the peaceful protests with the actions of a few who are using this tragedy to engage in criminal activity such as looting, vandalizing communities, and inciting violence. The President needs to listen to our state and local leaders who know best how to protect their communities.

"This is not the first time our great nation has been tested, and like previous times, we need national unity and leadership. Sadly, our President's desire seems instead to be to stoke the flames of division and leave us diminished in our response to the moment."