Rep. Sherrill Statement on Trump Administration Plan To Use Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for DHS Operations

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Rep. Mikie Sherrill issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration for the decision to use Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for DHS detention operations:

“It is unacceptable that Secretary Hegseth has approved the use of property at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for DHS detention operations.  

“This is a blatant misuse of one of New Jersey’s most critical military assets and reduces a vital national security installation to a stage for political theater, which flies in the face of an apolitical military. Using the base for detention operations risks degrading operational capacity, places an inappropriate burden on our servicemembers, and harms civil-military relations.

“The administration has diverted funding away from supporting our troops for this effort in other states, which is another reason I am strongly opposed to this plan. If DHS needs additional capacity for immigration enforcement, it should seek appropriate funding and resources from Congress, not rely on the military to fill the gap.

“The administration should immediately reverse this decision and respect the essential role our servicemembers and military bases play in defending the nation.”

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