Impolitic with John Heilemann Jeh Johnson: On Trump, Newsom, Noem, Padilla, & America’s Homeland Insecurities
Jun 13, 2025
Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security under Barack Obama, discusses the controversial deployment of military troops to manage civil unrest. He shares insights on the implications of using the military for domestic law enforcement and reflects on the complicated dynamics surrounding immigration policies during Trump's administration. Johnson also addresses a controversial incident involving Senator Alex Padilla and critiques a deal his firm struck with the Trump administration, exploring the tensions between law, legacy, and leadership in challenging times.
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Risks of Deploying Military Locally
- Federalizing the National Guard and deploying troops for domestic law enforcement inflames tensions and risks escalating violence.
- Local law enforcement and coordinated efforts should handle protests unless situations become unmanageable.
Consult Local Authorities First
- Leaders must consult governors, local law enforcement, and military commanders before deploying troops domestically.
- Understanding rules of engagement and local perspectives prevents unnecessary escalation and risk.
Democracy's Fragile Constitutional Norms
- Constitutional norms rely heavily on leaders respecting the peaceful transfer of power and limiting military use domestically.
- We face a breaking point as these norms erode, challenging the balance of democracy in the U.S.