Texas governor: Criticism to Army training order overblown

Bob Welch, standing at left, and Jim Dillon display a sign at a public hearing on April 27 in Bastrop about the Jade Helm 15 military training exercise.﻿ Bob Welch, standing at left, and Jim Dillon display a sign at a public hearing on April 27 in Bastrop about the Jade Helm 15 military training exercise.﻿ Photo: Jay Janner, MBO Photo: Jay Janner, MBO Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Texas governor: Criticism to Army training order overblown 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says criticism of him directing the State Guard to monitor a U.S. military training exercise dubbed "Jade Helm 15" is an overreaction.

Abbott on Monday defended using his office to address Internet-fueled suspicions that an upcoming Army war simulation is really a hostile military takeover. It was the first time the Republican has talked about his order that became a target of bipartisan ridicule last week.

A White House spokesman said he had "no idea" what Abbott was thinking. A former Republican state lawmaker accused the new governor of "pandering to idiots."

Abbott said he has seen nothing about the simulation that should cause worry. When asked whether addressing the rumors legitimized fringe theories, Abbott said no, saying he was responding to questions from citizens.

Abbott caused an uproar when he ordered members of the Texas Military to monitor federal troops in an upcoming two-month training exercise planned for the Lone Star State.

Operation Jade Helm will bring the U.S. military's most elite soldiers, including the Green Berets and Navy SEALS, to Texas for simulated special operations in a hostile territory. But plans for the exercise have roused fears in many Texans of a federal occupation.

In a letter to Major General Gerald Betty of the Texas State Guard, Abbott said his order was "to address concerns of Texas citizens."

"During the training operation, it is important that Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property right and civil liberties will not be infringed," the governor wrote. "I am directing the Texas State Guard to monitor Operation Jade Helm 15."