(NewsNation) — A Democratic representative is questioning Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about military medical units being deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., sent Hegseth a letter questioning the use of medical personnel at Guantanamo Bay, where the Trump administration says thousands of migrants will be held.
NewsNation obtained a copy of the letter, where Garamendi calls into question other aspects of President Donald Trump’s immigration efforts as well.
“First it was Trump’s use of military aircraft to enforce his immigration policy that was alarming and potentially unconstitutional,” Garamendi said. “Now, the military is preparing to send trained medical professionals to the Guantanamo detention facility.”
The personnel being deployed from Travis Air Force Base are said to include pediatricians, OB-GYNs and surgeons who usually provide care for military family members on base.
In the letter, Garamendi said the primary role of these personnel is to support service members and their families. He acknowledged that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay deserve comprehensive medical care, he objected to the use of military resources to provide it.
“Diverting these medical professionals away from their normal duties and regular patients hampers their ability to provide medical care to our warfighters and their dependents,” Garamendi said.
When NewsNation reached out, the Air Force declined to comment on the deployment.