Operation Jade Helm 15: Martial Law By Obama Discussed By U.S. Military

Operation Jade Helm 15 is scheduled to be the largest U.S.-based military exercise undertaken by all of the American armed forces, including U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marines. According to the conspiracy theories surrounding Jade Helm 15, martial law will be declared by President Obama as an excuse to suspend the 2016 elections. These ideas have begun to go viral on the internet, and the United States military has responded to the Jade Helm 15 conspiracy theories.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas State Guard to “monitor” Jade Helm 15, and even Senator Ted Cruz claims “the federal government has not demonstrated itself to be trustworthy in this administration.” But Democratic Senator Kirk Watson says, “They are trying to convince people the federal government is coming after them.”

Last year, the Washington Times reported that an unnamed Pentagon official was concerned how President Obama might use military forces inside the United States after a Department of Defense (DoD) Directive was updated by the administration.

“This appears to be the latest step in the administration’s decision to use force within the United States against its citizens,” a defense official said.

The update states that U.S. commanders “are provided emergency authority under this directive” and provides the ability to “to engage temporarily in activities that are necessary to quell large-scale, unexpected civil disturbances.”

“Federal military forces shall not be used to quell civil disturbances unless specifically authorized by the president in accordance with applicable law or permitted under emergency authority,” the directive explains. “Federal action, including the use of federal military forces, is authorized when necessary to protect the federal property or functions.”

The lead up to this month’s event explains why some people are concerned about Operation Jade Helm 15. Seven states are involved in Jade Helm 15, and 1,200 troops will be spread across many counties. The planners have selected areas which will use “private and Defense Department land in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida.”

Lt. Col. Mark Lastoria explained that the goal of Operation Jade Helm 15 is to simulate U.S. Special Forces helping resistance fighters restore democracy in an imaginary country. The military exercise “relies on training away from military installations to expose Army Special Operations Forces to unfamiliar conditions.”

The Posse Comitatus Act specifically prohibits the U.S. military from enforcing state laws, and according to the Las Vegas Review Journal, the plans for Operation Jade Helm 15 has critics claiming it “conjures images of martial law.” Some people believe the military exercise “is intended to get the American public accustom to seeing troops and tanks on the streets and helicopters landing in cities,” while others claim it serves as a reason for President Obama to declare martial law ahead of the 2016 presidential elections.

Due to these concerns, the U.S. military officially responded to these allegations.

“Jade Helm does not have anything to do with martial law,” officials said.

In addition, the official fact sheet for Operation Jade Helm 15 noted that there are “controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property.” U.S. soldiers are prohibited from being used as domestic law enforcement, and all weapons will us “blank” ammunition.

Lt. Lastoria also dismissed all of the conspiracy theories associated with Jade Helm 15.

“All service members take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and we put our lives on the line every day to uphold that oath,” he said. “So for people to come up with irrational ideas and try to associate them with the United States military, it does our troops a disservice.”

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