2020 Conventions: on Homeland Security


Donald Trump: FactCheck: Obama signed Veterans Choice, not Trump

Trump falsely claimed he passed the Veterans Choice program. The Veterans Choice bill, a bipartisan initiative led by Sens. Bernie Sanders and the late John McCain was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2014.

In 2018, Trump signed the VA Mission Act, which expanded and changed the Choice program. Trump has told this lie more than 150 times.

Source: CNN Fact-Check on 2020 Republican Convention speech Aug 28, 2020

Mike Pence: Fact Check: Takes credit for Veterans Choice passed in 2014

Pence said: "After years of scandal that robbed our veterans of the care that you earned in the uniform of the United States, President Trump kept his word again. We reformed the VA, and Veterans Choice is now available for every veteran in America."

The Veterans Choice program was a bipartisan initiative enacted by Obama in 2014. The Trump administration "reformed the VA" by signing the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which boosted funding for the choice program and expanded the eligibility criteria.

Source: NBC News Fact-Check on 2020 Republican Convention speech Aug 26, 2020

Reform Party: Maintain best equipment, technology and defense systems

Our best strategy and defense against these potential threats is a strong offense. So it will remain our policy to insure our military has the necessary funding to develop, acquire and maintain the best equipment, technology and defense systems for maintaining our military strength and position of a super power while giving our young service men and women the best protection and tools to successfully process any conflict. Armed conflict will be our option of last resort.

We will continue to confront these threats head on while working closely with our allies to bring peace and stability throughout the world. We will pursue a tough, smart, quick reacting and principled national security strategy. It will be our strategy to first focus our efforts on securing or own borders and citizens from foreign & domestic terrorist incursions here at home. It will be our strategy to focus our efforts on the terrorists who did strike us or intend to do so in the future.

Source: American Reform Party Positions (2020 Conventions) Aug 22, 2020

Joe Biden: Don't turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on US soldiers

One of Trump's more recent foreign policy scandals was the suggestion that Russia had been paying bounties to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan for dead U.S. troops, which is believed to be linked to several American deaths in Afghanistan. "Under President Biden, America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers," the former vice president said. "Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic exercise: voting."
Source: D.Brennan/Newsweek on 2020 Democratic National Convention Aug 21, 2020

Socialist Party: Abolish CIA, NSA, FBI; disband NATO

We call for the abolition of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and all other institutions of covert warfare. We stand for unconditional disarmament by the United States. We call for the disbanding of NATO and all other aggressive military alliances, and the closing of all overseas bases. We call for the abolition of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: Socialist Party Platform at 2020-2021 PSL Convention Aug 3, 2020

Green Party: Abolish nuclear weapons, WMDs, and land mines

Source: Green Party Platform at 2020 Green National Convention Jul 9, 2020

Green Party: Better care & support services for veterans

Provide better care for the wounded, sick and injured soldiers. Ensure that the Pentagon takes all steps necessary to fully diagnose and treat the physical and mental health conditions resulting from service in combat zones, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Ensure a smooth transition from active military service to civilian life by providing counseling, housing, emergency management, job protection and other support systems.
Source: Green Party Platform at 2020 Green National Convention Jul 9, 2020

Constitution Party: Terrorism no excuse to violate 4th, 5th amendments

We reaffirm the common-law rule that protects the people from any search or seizure whatsoever when that search or seizure violates the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. We deplore and oppose vigorously legislation and executive action that deprive the people of their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights under claims of necessity to "combat terrorism" or to "protect national security."
Source: Constitution Party Platform at 2020 Convention May 2, 2020

Constitution Party: Oppose conscription; register for the draft

Conscription deprives a person of liberty without due process of law. This is clearly prohibited by the 5th amendment. Conscription is forcibly taking a person's labor. Allowing conscription removes a critical check on the unconstitutional expansion of the Executive Branch. Compulsory government service is incompatible with individual liberty. We oppose imposition of the draft, the registration law, compulsory military training or any other form of compulsory government service.
Source: Constitution Party Platform at 2020 Convention May 2, 2020

Constitution Party: Opposed to U.S. forces serving under foreign command

Under no circumstances would we commit U.S. forces to serve under any foreign flag or command. We are opposed to any New World Order, and we reject U.S. participation in or a relinquishing of command to any foreign authority. We should be the friend of liberty everywhere, but the guarantor and provisioner of ours alone.
Source: Constitution Party Platform at 2020 Convention May 2, 2020

  • The above quotations are from 2020 Democratic and Republican Conventions.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Homeland Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Donald Trump on Homeland Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Joe Biden on Homeland Security.
2020 Presidential contenders on Homeland Security:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Sep 07, 2020