U.S. military will not adjudicate: generals

DISPUTED OUTCOME

America's top general reportedly warned that the military would play no role in resolving a disputed election as he sought to dispel the idea the country's generals could take a decision in removing Donald Trump from the White House.

General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two other senior generals, gave rare off-the-record briefings to America's cable networks as the country braced for unrest.

Trump has previously refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power and suggested that the only way he would lose his re-election bid is if the race was “rigged,” in comments which his critics say have incited violence.

Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic challenger, has suggested that the president would be escorted “from the White House in a dispatch” if he was defeated at the ballot box but refused to leave.

But during the private briefing, the country's top generals stressed that they would play no role in the transfer of political power.

Gen. Milley and National Guard chief Daniel Hokanson urged TV anchors not to be “alarmed” if they saw images of uniformed personnel on election day, stressing that the National Guard would only be deployed at the request of state governors.

It came as the National Guard was put on standby in several states and the U.S. Marshals Service said it stood “ready to respond to violent acts of civil disobedience” as it warned of the possibility of election unrest.

Violent scenes unfolded in Oregon, Michigan and Florida as voters headed to the polls Tuesday, with anti-police protesters in Portland, Ore., attempting to set light to a Starbucks in the city and duelling demonstrations in Tampa ended in ugly clashes.

In Portland, at least two people were arrested amid what the local sheriff 's office described as “potential arson” attack at a Starbucks on the campus of Portland State University. The coffee shop's windows were smashed and anti-police graffiti was sprayed on the building before law enforcement were able to control the situation.

Footage from Tampa appeared to show police punching a man who had been arrested after mocking Trump supporters at a rally.

Police said Scott Rexroat had showed up at the rally wearing a Trump mask and carrying a sign with Swastikas before taking photos with Trump supporters whom he branded “Nazis.”

Officers said Rexroat, 59, was arrested after instigating fights and striking an officer. Rexroat told news outlets that he'd mistaken the officer for a Trump supporter but denied carrying Swastikas.

Meanwhile in Grand Rapids, Mich., a century-old Jewish cemetery was vandalized, with “Trump” and “MAGA” daubed in red paint on tombstones hours before Trump visited the city for his final rally of the campaign.