Understanding the Truth About Trump’s National Guard Deployment: Debunking Misconceptions

Often disputed, the claim that Donald Trump attempted to deploy the National Guard during a rally has sparked significant debate. This article aims to illuminate the truth behind this allegation by addressing common misconceptions and providing credible evidence.

Did Donald Trump Serve in the Military?

One of the central misconceptions revolves around Donald Trump's military service. A common assertion is that Trump never served in any branch of the military. This is a factually accurate statement, as Donald Trump, after graduating from college, avoided military service due to a claim of conscientious objection based on his Quaker beliefs. The Quaker faith advocates for pacifism, which aligned with Trump's personal and spiritual values.

It is important to note that while Trump never served during his adult years, he did receive a non-judicial punishment, known as an Article 15, during his time at the University of Pennsylvania for a minor infraction. This is different from actual service in the military.

Did Trump Make Any Formal Requests for National Guard Deployment?

Another common misunderstanding is the suggestion that Trump made formal requests to deploy the National Guard troops. A series of claims and debates revolve around this idea.

The reality is that there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that Trump made any formal requests regarding National Guard deployment prior to the rally. The statement ‘There is no evidence Trump made ANY FORMAL REQUEST about deploying 10,000 National Guard troops before the rally’ is indeed accurate.

A logical follow-up question might be to ask for evidence of Trump making such a request. Given the rigorous nature of official national security deployments, it would be highly unlikely for such a request to be made without extensive and documented processes.

This lack of evidence has been discussed in various forums and news outlets, highlighting the absence of any official documentation or confirmation from reliable sources. The assertion that ‘Trumpists believe the damndest things’ often arises from this gap in the evidence.

Why Was the Deployment Not Cancelled?

A frequent argument is that the deployment wasn’t cancelled because it “never occurred.” However, this is a misinterpretation of the situation. The nature of the National Guard deployment process and the context of the rally make it clear that the request was not made.

The National Guard deployment process involves a series of steps, including planning, coordination, and vetting. The absence of any formal request means the process could not have reached the stage where cancellation decisions would be made.

Adding context, the question of canceling such deployments typically occurs in situations where there is a compelling reason (e.g., security concerns). The lack of a formal request means there was no reason to cancel anything that didn’t exist in the first place.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the claim that Trump attempted to deploy the National Guard is a misconception based on a lack of evidence and misunderstandings. Donald Trump, who did not serve in the military, never made any formal requests for such deployments. The absence of evidence and the complex nature of the military deployment process highlight why the claim lacks credibility.

Understanding and addressing these misconceptions helps in forming more accurate and informed opinions about historical events and political actions.