Joe Biden says he will never use the military 'as a prop or private militia' if he is elected Commander-in-Chief, accusing President Trump of employing U.S. forces to violate citizens' rights.
The Democratic presidential nominee made the remarks during a virtual address to the National Guard Association's 142nd General Conference on Saturday.
Speaking to the crowd from a remote location, Biden said he was alarmed that Trump had deployed federal forces to Chicago, Albuquerque and Portland amid periods of civil unrest.
He also expressed concern about the language the President had used in regard to the National Guard. Back in June, Trump tweeted that governors should order their military reserve forces to 'dominate the streets' during unruly protests.
'We're so much better than this. You deserve so much better,' Biden stated on Saturday.
Joe Biden says he will never use the military 'as a prop or private militia' if he is elected Commander-in-Chief, accusing President Trump of employing U.S. forces to violate citizens' rights
Trump poses with National Guard troops in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Saturday. In his address, Joe Biden accused the President of using the troops as a 'prop'
The former Vice President also promised to restore the separation between civilian and military powers which he called 'the bedrock principal of our republic.'
'It's been tested lately, but I promise you, as president, I'll never put you in the middle of politics or personal vendettas'.
Biden also claimed his family were a 'National Guard family', and referenced the fact that his late son, Beau, had served in the Delaware Army National Guard.
Biden's address came a day after Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress that the armed forces will have no role in carrying out the election process or resolving a disputed vote.
A demonstrator stares at a National Guard solider near the White House in Washington back in June. Biden says he was concerned about the language Trump used about deploying the National Guard to 'dominate the streets'. He also implied that Trump had politicized the reserve forces and strained the relationship between civilians and the military
It was a sign of rising tensions on both sides as the president has declared that the expected surge in mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic will make the vote 'inaccurate and fraudulent.'
Trump has also suggested he might not accept the election results if he loses.
Biden has said he's 'absolutely convinced' the military would escort Trump from the White House if the incumbent lost but refused to leave.
Also on Saturday, Biden's camp were outraged over the Trump administration's decision to end in-person election security briefings to Congress less than three months before Americans head to the polls.
President Donald Trump said National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe made the decision because the administration 'got tired' of intelligence about election security leaking from Congress.
'They leaked the information ... and what's even worse, they leaked the wrong information and we got tired of it,' Trump told reporters while attending a briefing on Hurricane Laura in Orange, Texas.
In a statement provided to MSNBC'S Kyle Griffin, Biden's rep admonished the President - particularly amid fears foreign adversaries could increase their meddling prior to the election.
'For his admin to constrain the info being provided to the peoples' representatives in Congress as this national security threat multiplies—especially given Donald Trump's unprecedented welcoming of these assaults on our democracy for his own gain—is deeply alarming,' the Biden camp stated.
Also on Saturday, Biden's camp were outraged over the Trump administration's decision to end in-person election security briefings less than three months before Americans head to the polls
President Donald Trump said National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe (pictured) made the decision to stop in-person election security briefings because the administration 'got tired' of intelligence leaking from Congress
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