An Obscure Military Program Helps Local Cops Buy Armored Cars and Spyware. It Might Balloon Under Trump.

[Suba]

Under President Donald Trump, a shadowy federal program has begun to reap new life, funneling tens of millions of dollars in discounted military gear to local law enforcement agencies. Dubbed the 1122 program – its name derived from a section of the National Defense Authorization Act that authorizes military surplus purchases – this obscure cousin to the more well-known 1033 program is now poised to expand its reach and influence.

The 1122 program, which has been in operation since 1994, allows local cops to purchase everything from armored vehicles to surveillance software at federal government rates. This means that state and local agencies can buy more military gear than they might otherwise be able to afford, often with significant discounts thanks to the 20% average savings offered by the program.

Recent reports suggest that some of these purchases have been quite lavish indeed. For example, one Texas agency purchased a $1.5 million surveillance software license, while another bought an $89,000 covert camera system. Meanwhile, Lenco BearCats – those infamous-looking armored vehicles often associated with military deployments abroad – are also making appearances on local police forces.

Critics say that the program's lack of transparency and oversight makes it a ticking time bomb, ripe for abuse by law enforcement agencies seeking to further militarize their operations. According to Women for Weapons Trade Transparency, a nonprofit group that has been sounding an alarm about this issue since 2022, the 1122 program presents a significant threat to free speech and democratic rights.

The group's founder, Lillian Mauldin, argues that the program is part of a larger "chilling effect" on public dissent. By allowing local cops to acquire military-grade gear at discounted rates, she says, law enforcement agencies are effectively empowered to suppress protest and silence dissenting voices.

As Trump continues to push for more authoritarian measures, including the erosion of Congressional oversight and the crackdown on free speech, many are left wondering how much further this program will balloon under his watch.

 

[Return of th]

I'm literally scrolling through all these reports about the 1122 program and I'm like, what's the deal with this? They're basically selling military gear to local cops at a discount, which sounds cool on paper, but the more I read, the more I'm concerned. Like, $1.5 million for surveillance software? That's some serious cash! And covert camera systems that cost over $89k? How much abuse can you imagine with these kinds of tools?

And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency and oversight. It's like they're hiding something. I'm not a politician, but it seems kinda fishy to me. Like, what if this program is used as a way for cops to silence dissent? We've got enough issues with free speech already, don't we need more rules to protect it?

I'm all about good design and structure, and let's be real, this whole thing has all the makings of a poorly designed system. It's like they just slapped together some random regulations and hoped for the best. But I think there needs to be some serious rethinking here. Maybe we should look at how other countries handle this kind of thing?

 

[My Very Own C]

I'm all for law enforcement having access to decent gear, but this 1122 program is getting outta hand! What's next? Police departments owning tanks and drones too? And don't even get me started on the surveillance software and covert camera systems – that's some serious Big Brother vibes . I think it's high time we had a more transparent discussion about how this program is being used, especially with all the authoritarian moves Trump's making. We need to make sure our police are protecting us, not suppressing our rights

 

[Legen]

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on with this 1122 program . They're just pouring millions into these local law enforcement agencies like it's going out of style. I mean, what's the real motive here? Are they trying to create an army of militarized cops just waiting for a call to action?

And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency. It's like they want us to think this is just about helping the good guys out with some discounted gear, but what if it's all part of a larger scheme? I'm not buying it.

This whole thing smells like a setup for a dystopian movie . Trump's been pushing for more authoritarian measures, and now we're seeing this program roll out under his watch. Coincidence? I don't think so...

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

idk about this 1122 program... seems like a bad idea it's already got people worried that cops are getting too militarized and it's only gonna get worse if they keep getting more gear for cheap i mean, $1.5 million surveillance software license? what's next? does anyone even know how much of this stuff is being used or if it's just getting hoarded by some police departments?

 

[Smo]

I'm low-key shocked that nobody's talking about the 1122 program being connected to the whole Trump authoritarian vibe ... I mean, think about it - tens of millions in discounted military gear for local law enforcement? It's like they're setting up a SWAT team on every corner . And that surveillance software license in Texas is straight-up creepy ... the idea that our cops are getting access to this high-tech stuff at 20% off is just wild .

I also get where critics are coming from - transparency and oversight seem super lacking here , but what's really concerning me is how this program could be used to silence dissenting voices . I'm not saying all law enforcement is corrupt or anything (although there are some shady examples out there ), but when you give them access to military-grade gear without proper checks and balances, it can get messy .

We need more discussion about this, IMHO ... what's the real cost of "law and order" when we're basically arming our own police force with the same tech used in wars abroad?

 

[Creepy]

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This 1122 program is just another example of how unchecked power can lead to abuses of authority, chilling the very freedoms we're supposed to protect . It's time for transparency and accountability to prevail over militarized policing

 

[Grumpy Gosh]

The 1122 program is like my Uncle Steve's garage sale - lots of cool stuff, but you never know what's gonna show up . I mean, $1.5 million surveillance software? That's like buying a new smartphone every week for 78 weeks... or maybe it's just for one Texas agency and that's still pretty wild . But seriously, folks, this program is like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off . If law enforcement agencies can get their hands on all that military gear at discounted rates, it's like they're getting a free pass to be the next Schwarzenegger in Terminator movies . And let's not forget about the chilling effect on public dissent - if we allow cops to have access to this kind of gear, we're basically saying "peaceful protests? Ha! Good luck with that ".

 

[Barbie's Programming]

I'm getting super uneasy about this 1122 program . I mean, who needs that much military gear in local police forces? It's just too much. And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency . If they're not gonna be honest with us about how our tax dollars are being spent, then maybe we shouldn't be giving them the cash .

And what really gets my goat is that this program can easily lead to abuse . I've seen some crazy stories already about cops using these military vehicles and cameras for stuff they're not supposed to do . It's like, what's next? Are we gonna start seeing SWAT teams showing up at protests and arresting people for exercising their right to free speech?

I'm all for supporting our troops and keeping communities safe, but this program just feels like a recipe for disaster . Can't we find other ways to fund our police departments that don't involve militarizing them so much?

 

[Open Oyster]

I don’t usually comment but I think this 1122 program is super concerning . Like, I get that law enforcement agencies need equipment to do their jobs safely, but $1.5 million for surveillance software? That's just crazy . And what really gets me is the lack of transparency – how can we trust that this gear isn't being used to suppress protests or target certain communities? It seems like a recipe for abuse, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to give even more power to law enforcement agencies. I mean, we already see enough examples of them using excessive force... this just feels like another way to escalate the problem .

 

[Extreme Ha]

I'm so confused about this 1122 program . It sounds like a big deal that local law enforcement agencies can get military gear at discounted prices, but why do they need it? Can't they just use regular police equipment instead? And what's with the surveillance software and covert camera systems? Sounds like something out of a spy movie .

I'm worried about the lack of transparency too. If the government is selling this stuff to cops without checking who's buying it, that's a problem . I don't think we should be giving law enforcement agencies more power to silence people and suppress dissenting voices. That doesn't sound very democratic .

I'm also not sure why Trump is pushing for this kind of thing . Isn't his goal to reduce tensions and make things easier, not create more? I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out .

 

[Middl]

I'm low-key freaked out about this 1122 program . I mean, who needs that kind of power in the hands of local law enforcement? It's like they're getting a blank check to do whatever they want, and that's just not cool. They're basically being given a bunch of toys that can be used for surveillance and intimidation, and that's super scary. What's next, militarized police forces patrolling our neighborhoods? We need more transparency and oversight on this program, stat! It's like they're trying to create an atmosphere where people are too afraid to speak out against injustices, and that's not the kind of country we want to be.

 

[Com]

the 1122 program is a total mess i mean, who needs that kind of power in law enforcement hands? they're basically getting military-grade gear for pennies on the dollar and it's only gonna get worse under trump... it's like he's trying to create a national police state or something . and don't even get me started on the lack of transparency , it's like they're hiding something from us... 20% savings on military gear? that sounds too good (and suspicious) to be true . i'm all for keeping our law enforcement agencies safe, but this program just seems so reckless and unregulated . what's next?

 

[Crazy]

I think it's kinda weird that they're getting all this cool military gear at a discount ... like, who wouldn't want an $89k camera system ? But seriously tho, some people are worried that it's being used in ways that infringe on our rights . Like, if cops can just suppress dissent with all this militarized gear, that's super concerning . And with Trump pushing for more authoritarian stuff, I don't know if anyone's gonna keep an eye on the program ...

 

[Yucky Yacare]

I'm getting a bad vibe from this 1122 program . It's like they're trying to give law enforcement all the tools they need to control us . I mean, who needs $1.5 million surveillance software? Or an armored vehicle that could easily crush a protest? It's just too much power in the wrong hands .

And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency and oversight . What if local cops start using this gear to spy on their own communities or intimidate dissenting voices? That's what concerns me most .

It's ironic that Trump is pushing for more authoritarian measures, but at the same time he's giving law enforcement agencies the tools they need to further suppress free speech and public dissent . I guess you could say this program is just another example of how our freedoms are being eroded .

 

[Bewildered Badger]

I mean, can you believe we're still having to deal with this stuff? Like, 1994 was like, a different time, right? I'm not saying I'm nostalgic for the good old days or anything, but it's wild how some things just never change. I see these reports about the 1122 program and I'm just like... what's next? Are we gonna start giving our local cops tanks too?

But for real, this is getting out of hand. I get that law enforcement needs to be equipped with decent gear, but come on, $1.5 million surveillance software license? That's just ridiculous. And don't even get me started on the Lenco BearCats – they're like something out of a bad action movie.

The thing is, though, it's not just about the gear itself. It's what it represents – the erosion of our civil liberties and the militarization of law enforcement. I mean, we're already seeing these kinds of programs popping up under Trump's watch... it's like he's trying to create some kind of dystopian nightmare.

I'm all for accountability and transparency, you know? That's why this program is so problematic. If we can't even trust our local cops with their own equipment, how are we supposed to trust them when they're dealing with actual emergencies or protests?

Anyway... I guess what I'm saying is that we need to keep a close eye on this program and make sure it doesn't get out of control. We don't want to end up living in some kind of police state, do we?

 

[Strateg]

omg this is wild like we're literally talking about law enforcement agencies having access to military-grade gear without any real checks and balances it's crazy to think that cops can just buy whatever they want with federal funds and nobody's really keeping track of where the money's going meanwhile, the gov is all like "oh no, free speech is under threat" but what about the threat posed by law enforcement having unlimited access to militarized equipment? it feels like we're sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

omg u gotta wonder wut's goin on here!!1! like, law enforcement agncies gettin all this free military gear & it's super sus. they can afford these big-ticket items cuz of the 20% discount lolol what a steal! but seriously, critcs say its a big deal 4 free speech & democracy bc if cops r buyin surveillance software & armored vehicles, they can just chill out on protests & keep ppl in line . it's like wut happened 2 the checks & balances system? trumps got all about empowerin law enforcement to do whatevr dey want & its straight up scary

 

[Hel]

I'm low-key freaking out about this 1122 program . Like, I get it, law enforcement needs resources to stay safe, but come on, $1.5 million surveillance software license? That's just insane! And what's with the Lenco BearCats? Those things look like something out of a dystopian movie . It's like we're slowly turning into a police state and I'm not sure if anyone is even paying attention to this anymore.

I mean, think about it, when was the last time you saw a protest that didn't involve some kind of militarized force? And now, with the 1122 program, it's like law enforcement agencies are getting more and more powerful by the day. It's like they're gearing up for some kind of authoritarian showdown .

I'm all for supporting our troops, but when does that support spill over into domestic policing? I don't think we should be trading in our constitutional rights for a few bullets and some fancy surveillance tech . It's time for some serious oversight and transparency around this program – we need to know what's really going on here .

 

[Kabuki Th]

I gotta say, this 1122 program got me thinking about power and responsibility . If law enforcement agencies can get their hands on that kind of military gear, it's like they're getting a free pass to enforce their own agenda . And you know what? That's exactly what critics are saying - that this program is a recipe for abuse and erosion of our democratic rights . It's time for us to have some tough conversations about who gets to decide how law enforcement operates in our communities . We can't just sit back and let someone like Trump push the envelope on authoritarianism . We gotta be the voice of reason and transparency in this mix .