Donald Trump claimed at a campaign stop in Nevada that Kamala Harris is planning on bringing back the draft in America.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on September 13, Trump said: “Does anybody want to get drafted in the audience?”
The question was met with boos. He then went on to say: “Because that’s what they’re doing. She’s already talking about bringing back the draft. She wants to bring back the draft, and draft your child, and put them in a war that should never have happened.”
Trump did not clarify the war he was referring to. Additionally, policy proposals and issues published on Kamala Harris’ campaign site have no mention of a draft.
Harris’ campaign does discuss the military on her site, and says the following: “As Commander In Chief, she will ensure that the United States military remains the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world, that we unleash the power of American innovation and win the competition for the 21st century, and that we strengthen, not abdicate, our global leadership.
“Vice President Harris will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families, and will always honor their service and their sacrifice.”
Her site goes on to say: “Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe we have a sacred obligation to care for our nation’s service members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Donald Trump at a campaign stop at the Cambria County War Memorial, in Johnstown, Pa. Aug. 30, 2024
Rebecca Droke/Associated Press
“A Harris-Walz Administration will continue to ensure that service members, veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned.”
Donald Trump was drafted five times for the Vietnam War when he was 22. However, he managed to avoid serving four times due to his student status, and one more time due to a sudden bone spur diagnosis that he received right before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.
Two years prior to the diagnosis Trump had been cleared for military service, and was an athlete at his university. Reporting by the New York Times in 2018 suggested that Trump was given the bone spurs diagnosis by a podiatrist who rented his space from Trump’s father, Fred Trump.
Kamala Harris has not announced any policies related to bringing back the draft
Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press
The U.S. ended the draft in 1973, however it still has Selective Service. Selective Service is a mandatory registration system for all male citizens and immigrants aged between 18 through 25. It is not a draft, as it does not require men to join the military immediately. However, it is intended as a system to recruit able-bodied men rapidly in the event of a war.
According to the Selective Service System, it “ensures operational readiness in a fair and equitable manner. If authorized by the President and Congress, our Agency would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing an Alternative Service Program for conscientious objectors.”
There is no evidence to suggest that Harris is planning on mobilizing the Selective Service System.
Veterans Affairs has been contacted for comment.
The Harris and Trump campaigns have also been contacted for comment.
