House Armed Services Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) on Monday dismissed concerns about a military takeover of Texas as “silly,” the Dallas Morning News reported.
“These are incredibly capable, patriotic Americans and the notion that they’re going to be some sort of private army for the President to take away all our guns is just silly,” Thornberry said.
Thornberry’s comments came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered the State Guard to monitor the military training program known as “Jade Helm 15,” which conspiracy theorists have said may be a covert plan to take over the state. Abbott defended his decision on Monday.
The White House has said the operation, set to take place later this year in seven western states, is a “standard training” program.
Some of the theories also suggested that recently closed Wal-Marts were being used as cover for underground tunnels that would enable the takeover. A spokesperson for Wal-Mart denied that there was any truth to the “rumors.”
