Representative Greg Casar has criticized former President Donald Trump's decision to authorize military jurisdiction over public land along the southern border. Casar suggested that this move was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the economic instability caused by Trump's tariff policies.

The authorization, detailed in a memorandum released late Friday, directs a "phased implementation" of military control over a "limited sector of federal lands" at the U.S.-Mexico border. The specific areas will be determined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the potential for expansion at any time.

Casar, a Democrat representing Texas, expressed his disapproval on X, stating that Trump was using the military to distract from his economic failures and target immigrants. He characterized the action as an abuse of the military and consistent with Trump's past behavior.

The announcement came amidst a volatile week for U.S. markets, driven by the escalating trade war. China responded to the imposition of tariffs by increasing its own tariffs on American imports. Despite this, the markets showed some resilience.

Reassuring statements from the Federal Reserve helped to stabilize the markets. The S&P 500 closed up 1.73%, the Nasdaq rose by 1.97%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.53%.