At a recent hearing of the House Armed Service Committee, Representative Mo Brooks raised eyebrows as he grilled Defense Department Official John Rood.
Brooks primarily focused on Title 10, Section 284 of the U.S. Code, which gives the Defense Department authority to provide support for counter-drug activities at the request by of federal or state officials. The code cites the construction of a barrier if found necessary in a given case.
This isn’t the first time Title 10, Section 284 of the U.S. code has been brought up in recent days.
Representative Mark Meadows pointed to the code as a way for a wall along the southern border to lawfully get built without the need for Congress or declaring a National Emergency. And the question session provided by Rep. Brooks to Defense Official Rood just proved that 10 USC 284 is at the disposal of the Trump Administration if it comes down to it.
Brooks started off by presenting cold hard numbers that show just how dangerous the situation is a the border shared with Mexico. He said the loss of life due to drug smuggling across the border combined with the loss of life due to activities by illegal aliens “far exceeds the loss of life caused by 9/11.”
He then delved into the subject of Title 10, Section 284 of the U.S. Code. Video Below
Brooks stated that the specific U.S. code allows the President to deploy troops along the southern border to build fences or whatever is deemed necessary.
He cited the dictionary and said if you look up the word “fence,” the definition includes the word “barrier,” which then includes “walls made up of a variety of different material.”
He then asked Rood if he is aware of 10 USC 284 and if it had ever been implemented by the President.Video Below
Rood said he is not aware of Trump ever implementing the code, but he did verify the code could be used in the way that Brooks laid out.
Rood said, “You are correct, however, that use of authority would authorize the Secretary of Defense to erect barriers, roads, fencing, those types of materials to prevent drug smuggling.”
Brooks then asked if the code requires a National Emergency to be declared in order to be implemented, to which Rood replied, “No.”
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Finally, Brooks asked Rood if the President ordered the Pentagon to adhere to 10 USC 284 to build walls or barriers to prevent drug smuggling and other activity dangerous to America, would the military obey the order?
Rood replied, “If we judge it to be a lawful order, then yes sir. And I assume it would be.” Video Below
Rep. Brooks Grills Department Of Defense Official Over 10 USC 284
