Matt Gaetz, Laura Loomer enter Pentagon briefing room after legacy media ‘self deports’

Key Concepts

• Naroterrorism: A term used to describe individuals or groups involved in drug trafficking with the intent to harm American lives.
• Department of War (DoW): The governmental body responsible for military planning and operations.
• Southcom Region: The U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, encompassing Central and South America and the Caribbean.
• Title 10 and Title 32: U.S. legal frameworks governing the deployment and operation of the National Guard.
• Muslim Brotherhood Designation: The process of designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.
• War Powers Resolution: A U.S. federal law intended to check the president's power to commit the United States to armed conflict without the consent of Congress.
• Personnel is Policy: The principle that the quality and loyalty of personnel are fundamental to the effective execution of an organization's mission.

Post-Maduro Venezuela and Naroterrorism

The Department of War (DoW) has contingency plans for various global scenarios, including the departure of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela. The DoW's primary focus in the Southcom region is combating "naroterrorism," which they define as individuals involved in drug trafficking that endangers American lives. They assert that striking drug boats directly saves American lives, highlighting the critical nature of this mission for homeland protection.

Regarding the determination of roles for current Venezuelan military and government members in a post-Maduro Venezuela, the DoW states that such decisions would ultimately be made by the President. However, they emphasize that any individual involved in transporting narcotics to the United States is considered a "narco terrorist," a determination supported by their intelligence. The question of whether all members of the Venezuelan military or government would be definitionally labeled as "narco terrorists" is framed as a presidential determination, distinct from the DoW's current operational focus on interdicting drug shipments.

Qatar Partnership and Muslim Brotherhood Designation

The DoW is proceeding with a thorough evaluation of its partnerships, prioritizing the protection of intelligence, operational security, and the best interests of the American people. The U.S. military maintains a long-standing partnership with Qatar, including training Qatari pilots at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, which also hosts Singaporean military personnel for foreign military training.

The transcript addresses the potential implications of the President initiating the process to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization on the F-15 fighter jet sale to Qatar and pilot training. While acknowledging Qatar's significant financial support for the Muslim Brotherhood, alongside Turkey, the DoW currently has no information regarding a re-evaluation of the partnership. The Secretary of Defense and the administration prioritize national security and the protection of American assets, and all partnerships will continue to be evaluated through this lens.

National Guard Deployments and Armament

The DoW does not have immediate announcements regarding additional National Guard deployments under Title 10. However, they affirm their commitment to keeping American cities safe and will continue to support missions in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. The National Guard is proud to work alongside law enforcement to address urgent threats.

Specifically concerning Washington D.C., the transcript confirms that all personnel are now armed, and many National Guardsmen are conducting joint patrols with the D.C. Police Department. The safety of these personnel is a top priority, ensuring they can effectively protect the public. The process for determining how many National Guard troops are armed is not detailed, but the emphasis is on ensuring their safety and operational effectiveness.

War Powers and Military Operations in Venezuela

In response to growing concerns on Capitol Hill regarding the War Powers Resolution, particularly concerning strikes on Venezuelan drug boats, the DoW reiterates its role as a planning organization ready for any contingency. They state they will not get ahead of the President's decision-making process regarding Venezuela. The DoW's message to members of Congress advocating for regime change in Venezuela is that the Department stands 100% behind the President and will execute his orders. Any decisions regarding military actions in the Western Hemisphere region will be solely the President's.

Despite a recent poll indicating majority support for strikes on drug boats (53%) but opposition to military operations within Venezuela (70%), the DoW maintains its commitment to dismantling naroterrorism throughout the Western Hemisphere, citing the success of their strikes.

Special Operations and Election Fraud Allegations

Regarding allegations that operations in Venezuela extend beyond drug interdiction to include concerns about electronic election fraud, the DoW refers such inquiries to the State Department for a more appropriate response.

Concerning reports of special operations aviation assets exercising for direct action missions in the region, the DoW confirms conducting training missions and exercises. The presence of the Ford aircraft carrier in the Southcom region is cited as an example of these preparedness efforts. The DoW emphasizes that a significant part of their planning involves training to ensure readiness to protect American interests and the populace from naroterrorism.

Personnel Loyalty and Department of War Mission

In response to a question about identifying and addressing personnel involved in a self-described "resistance movement" against the President, the DoW stresses the importance of having the best people working to protect Americans. They do not take lightly the work of their civilian and military personnel and ensure they are capable and willing to serve the elected Commander-in-Chief. The Department of War supports the President 100%, as this is their mission and chain of command. The principle of "Personnel is Policy" is highlighted, emphasizing that people are the most important asset and that they must consistently put America first.

Conclusion

The transcript reveals the Department of War's proactive stance on national security, with robust contingency planning for various global scenarios. Their primary operational focus in the Southcom region is the eradication of "naroterrorism," which they view as a direct threat to American lives. The DoW maintains a commitment to its international partnerships, such as with Qatar, while rigorously evaluating them against national security interests. The transcript also underscores the Department's unwavering support for the President and its dedication to ensuring personnel loyalty and effectiveness in executing its mission.