Pentagon dismisses conspiracy theories over Texas military training exercise Jade Helm 15
Chuck Norris. Not pleased. Source: Supplied
CHUCK Norris had a fight with the Pentagon. It’s now a circle.
Bad joke aside, Walker Texas Ranger is not pleased with what’s going on in Washington.
Norris is fired up over training exercises taking place in the coming months in Texas, California and five other US states.
The Pentagon says operation Jade Helm 15 is routine but Norris is among a growing number of Texans offering bizarre conspiracy theories.
Theories include that the military is trying to return Texas to Mexico, that tunnels are being built underneath abandoned shops, that people’s guns will be taken away and that martial law could be imposed.
“If you haven’t heard about Jade Helm 15, you need to,” Norris wrote for conservative website WND.
What is the Pentagon REALLY doing under operation Jade Helm 15. Source: Supplied
“I think there’s something a little more involved than what they’re telling us.”
He said the Pentagon should come clean about the exercises, scheduled for July and August and involving every branch of the military. He said it is not a coincidence the exercises are taking place after the FBI director confessed in February that Islamic State has a “presence in all 50 states”.
“Whether deterrence, display of power or something more covert or devious, let’s not come with any patronising nonsense of impotence and simplicity when its origin is in Washington,” Norris said.
“It’s neither over-reactionary nor conspiratorial to call into question or ask for transparency about Jade Helm 15 or any other government activity.”
The Los Angeles Times reported one rumour was that Jade Helm is a plot to give Texas and other border states back to Mexico.
The New York Times reported another rumour involved tunnels being build beneath closed stores.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott fanned the flames when he directed the Texas State Guard to monitor the exercise. He said it was important for residents to know what their constitution and private property rights are.
But all theories were laughed off by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at a press conference in Washington on Thursday.
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter had a laugh at conspiracy theories around Jade Helm 15 on Thursday. Picture: Mark Wilson / Getty Source: AFP
Asked by reporters if the military was planning to “overtake” Texas, Carter laughed and said: “No. We are very responsive to any local officials who want to know about our training”.
The discussion became fodder for comedian Jon Stewart who called Texans “Lone Star Lunatics” and said it was “adorable” their governor thinks the State Guard could take on the United States military.
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