Washington, D.C.—In response to reports that the Trump Administration plans to send eight hundred or more troops to the southern border as a caravan of refugees and migrants approaches, Founder of Veterans for American Ideals Scott Cooper issued the following statement:

“I joined the Marine Corps to defend this great country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. When I look at this caravan, and the vulnerable people that are in it, I see no enemies, I see only a group of desperate people asking America for help. I’m scratching my head trying to understand how these people fleeing violence can be characterized as a threat or why anyone would think we need the military to be involved in this. Moreover The American people know that this is not what our military is for, and that the military should be focused on the true threats we face as a country.”

Veterans for American Ideals is a nonpartisan group of veterans who share the belief that America is strongest when its policies and actions match its ideals.

For more information or to speak with Cooper contact Christopher Plummer at [email protected] or 202-370-3310.