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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump is fraying nerves inside the Pentagon
It's not just Trump's unpredictable decision making that has officials on edge, it's also his penchant for politicizing the military something that's come into focus in recent months as he's struggled to fulfill his campaign promise to crack down on immigration and build a border wall. His decision to draw down troops in Syria and his claims that ISIS is defeated have also rankled military commanders who felt it wasn't well thought out.
Some of the highest-ranking officers say there is a new atmosphere of unease inside the Pentagon, particularly among some of the most senior ranks, over the President's inclination to use the military to achieve certain partisan policy objectives. Behind the scenes officials are trying to keep it all at bay. "The amount of time we have to spend making sure our statements and what we say is apolitical is astronomically higher than ever before," one senior military officer told CNN.
If commanders order the troops to perform a mission for reasons that are political rather than based on national security grounds the fundamental nature of the US military is changed, several officials worry. That line has already been crossed in the minds of some over the issue of sending troops to the border. It could become even more of a problem should the President decide to declare a national emergency to gain access to Defense Department funds to build the wall.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/17/politics/trump-frays-nerves-at-pentagon/index.html
BTW, his is speaking at the Pentagon any moment now (right now Pence is on stage).
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)republicans have cursed America's Armed Forces.
global1
(25,253 posts)delivering a speech.
What have we come to?
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Propaganda works.
Especially from pulpits.
If we're afraid to do something about public lying for fear of 1A concerns, then we're going to lose absolutely everything.
Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)They don't have to criticize the president, criticize the results? Or others like the Senate? isn't speaking up the highest form of patriotism? And watering the tree etc?
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)This story some how implies that the DoD doesn't play politics. That's blatantly absurd. It's just that usually THEY are the ones playing politics with military issues.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I've been reassured all my life that military personnel will never carry out an illegal order. Patent nonsense, of course. What's really happening is that DoD is having to do "political" stuff they don't want to do and edging toward the time they will have to carry out illegal orders they didn't promulgate, all for the sake of McDonald's fragile ego.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)Excuse the pun, but in their "defense" most officers have a fairly strict standard for illegal orders. It's just that what they consider "illegal" is probably far worse than any of us. Trump is going to take them far further they have ever been in their careers.