Lawmakers laugh off Jade Helm theories

"Oh, God," Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) replied, lowering his head to the side when asked about the operation.

Veasey said that based on his time in the Legislature in Austin and "watching how sort of reckless and right and radical that the leaders down there have become … sadly, I'm not surprised" by the reaction.

Concerns about the exercise have persisted despite repeated statements from the Defense Department and Army leaders.