Marine Corps veteran Janessa Goldbeck joined The FiveStack for a special edition to break down what she calls "a completely unprecedented use of the United States military domestically." Her analysis of Marines deployed to LA streets reveals how Trump is systematically dismantling military apolitical traditions while creating pretexts for expanded authoritarian control.
5️⃣ The Posse Comitatus Violation Goldbeck explained how active duty Marines in American streets violates the fundamental law preventing military from domestic law enforcement. "You see military in the streets in third world countries that are the tool of dictators and despots," she said. The deployment memo doesn't name specific cities—it claims presidential authority to deploy forces "in any city, in any place, for any amount of time."
4️⃣ Fort Bragg's Political Theater The Fort Bragg rally where uniformed soldiers were pre-screened for political loyalty and encouraged to cheer partisan talking points horrified Goldbeck. "It is so disgusting to me. It is so alarming," she said, noting no general has resigned or spoken out against this clear violation of military apolitical traditions.
3️⃣ The Intimidation Strategy Local law enforcement, including the LAPD, said military deployment was unnecessary and inflammatory. But that's exactly the point. "The point is to intimidate American citizens," Goldbeck explained. Marines are trained to "close with and destroy the enemy"—not de-escalate civilian situations like police.
2️⃣ Accelerationist Agitators Drawing from war game exercises, Goldbeck warned about infiltration by extremist groups seeking to escalate violence. "They want to pour gasoline on the fire" to justify expanded military deployment and eventual Insurrection Act invocation. The goal: normalize militarized streets across America.
1️⃣ Veterans Must Lead Resistance "Veterans are one of the last groups in our society that have cross-partisan respect," Goldbeck emphasized. She called on veterans to speak out, attend protests with American flags, and remind Americans that the military swore an oath to the Constitution—not to Trump. "Now is the time to stand up and be heard."
The deployment represents more than immigration enforcement—it's a systematic effort to reshape the military as Trump's domestic tool of power and control. As protests continue nationwide, the question isn't whether Trump will escalate, but how quickly Americans will recognize the authoritarian playbook unfolding before their eyes.
The FiveStack is available as an audio podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Advertising inquiries email next@narativ.org. The FiveStack is a co-production of deanblundell.substack.com and narativ.org.
Brief Summary: Marine Corps veteran Janessa Goldbeck explains how Trump's deployment of Marines to LA streets violates military traditions and serves as pretext for authoritarian control, while calling on veterans to lead resistance efforts.
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