Amid USS McCain controversy, Pentagon says military will not be politicized

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters


JUNE 2, 2019 / 6:15 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Idrees Ali

SEOUL (Reuters) - The Pentagon has told the White House that the U.S. military will not be politicized, a U.S. official said on Sunday, amid a controversy after officials directed the United States Navy to keep the USS John S. McCain out of sight during a recent speech by President Donald Trump in Japan.

The White House military office directed the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet to minimize the visibility of the USS John S. McCain, a warship bearing the name of Trump’s former political rival, during a speech by the president in Japan last week.

While the directive was not implemented after senior Navy officials found out about the request, the incident has raised questions about the politicization of the military, which has traditionally been seen as being apolitical.

“Secretary (Patrick) Shanahan directed his chief of staff to speak with the White House military office and reaffirm his mandate that the Department of Defense will not be politicized,” Lieutenant Colonel Joe Buccino, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement.




Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-military-trump-politics/amid-uss-mccain-controversy-pentagon-says-military-will-not-be-politicized-idUSKCN1T30BZ?il=0

[jberryhill]

1. Yah, right, said Defense Secretary Nobody

[murielm99]

5. He is still the acting Secretary of Defense.

He has not been confirmed by the Senate, not that I have found. Tell me if I missed something.

[jberryhill]

8. That's the point

Many critical positions are being left empty so that Trump may more easily effect political control of the institutions.

[machoneman]

15. Yes and we need to set new laws regarding the time frame for "acting" senior level positions.

Easy fix. After nominating any individual to an empty slot, the President has 60 days to bring that person to a Congressional vote of approval. Failing that, that person may not be nominated to any other position for a 1 year period.

Failing the success of the 2nd person to be nominated, Congress will pick their own candidate and vote on approval. The President will not veto the successful candidate and that candidate may not be fired by the President until the end of the President's term. Only Congress may fire that individual for cause.

If this were in place, Trumpy could not play his silly games nor shuffle losing candidates around like deck chairs on the Titanic to eventually find a place for his boot-likkers.

[keithbvadu2]

16. 'I'm The Only One That Matters,' Trump Says Of State Dept. Job Vacancies

'I'm The Only One That Matters,' Trump Says Of State Dept. Job Vacancies

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/03/561797675/im-the-only-one-that-matters-trump-says-of-state-dept-job-vacancies

[avebury]

2. Too late, Trump has already politicized the military. nt

[Scarsdale]

9. Exactly.

Sailors with "USS John McCain" on their hats were told to make themselves scarce during Agent Orange's "speech" Must not upset the orange asshole. I also saw a photo with the ship's name covered with a white tarp. What in the HELL has this country sunk to in the last 2 1/2 years? Afraid of an immature, crazy, Mafia wannabe, uneducated, Putin puppet, illegitimate so-called president? He, his useless family and the gop are seriously ripping the country off, and tearing it to shreds. The repubs. were so concerned about the National Debt during a democratic (REAL) president's term, but now all the stops are removed. McConnell is proudly doing business with a Russian oligarch, after he helped lift sanctions on Russia. The gop took boatloads of rubles, and are afraid their constituents will find out? McConnell refuses to bring up a bill to prevent Russia interfering AGAIN in US elections. WHY? Is the fix already in for the next election?

[cstanleytech]

11. The problem is not with Trump though the problem is with the Repugnant party.

And I say that because what happened is that they have literally sold their souls for political power two hostile foreign governments.
Hopefully though we will live to see it backfire on them big time with things like criminal prosecutions and multiple life sentences.
So the next Democratic president needs to really press forward with appointing a special investigator to look into the actions both of the Trump administration and everyone in any elected office who's had a hand in helping him do it.
I don't care if the person is retired from office if they did a crime they need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law with only a few plea deals offered.
If however the next Democratic president does not do that I will most likely support a different Democrat to replace them in the next election after.

[Traildogbob]

12. Perfectly ranted

This sailor thanks you. Each of us are, were, damn proud of the ship we serve on. I hope we buy up U.S.S. McCain hats in numbers 100's of times that of MAGA hats and next STate of the Union, every dem wears one. And don't give me any shirt about hats in State buildings. The 2 nit wads standing behind tRump in the White House with fucking cowboy hats. Never saw a horse. A military site, Medals for America, is one of many that sell any ship's hat. Fuck the MAGA hats, let's become the McCain hats. Make the ass hole see the name everywhere.

[Scarsdale]

14. Thank you for your service.

Too bad every sailor from that ship did not defy orders and wear their hats in front of Agent Orange. They could not court martial all of them. I guess if you donate to tRump's "charity" you can wear a hat any place!! Those cowboy hats look ridiculous.

[Wuddles440]

21. Great idea!

I'm all in. Not a huge McCain fan from a political perspective (especially considering he made Palin his running mate), but I can at least respect his service to this country, unlike the draft dodging, Orange Anus.

[mahina]

24. I was just wondering who foisted Palin on to him. Nobody would choose her as a running mate

Without something funny in the background. Why do they keep wanting us to have morons in the White House? Remember Bush I’s VP (I don’t remember his name...) and Reagan, and Bush II, and now this shitheel.

[mitch96]

10. "Pentagon says military will not be politicized"

LIke you said. it already has been politicized.. Troops to the border??
m

[hlthe2b]

3. We all better hope there is a bullwark holding there...

It may well be our final hope-- all hyperbole aside.

[Iliyah]

4. Uh huh . . . . . . .

speaks with fork tongue.

[leftieNanner]

6. Oh really?

How about those Make Airmen Great Again patches on the uniforms???

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

7. Shit! So that means it will totally be politicized!! nt

[ffr]

22. Always has been by weak turncoat republicans.

The GOP is allied with our enemies. I expect them to do Putin's bidding.

[KPN]

13. Too late! nt

[Maxheader]

17. Buddy, If the cmd in chef yells "jump!".

You'd better ask how high?...maybe...

[ut oh]

18. Too late...

just like the courts.... The military has already been politicized....


Maybe if this statement had been made 2 years ago, it would have had some meaning.

[stillcool]

19. they'd be better off...

saying nothing. Maybe they just like pissing people off.

[lark]

20. Total fucking bullshit, it already is partisan and rw.

The military is not our friend or the friend of our country. It's the tool that drumpf will use to crack the back of the nation and let him destroy our constitution and everything good about America. He will deploy it against us if he loses and refuses to give over power. Be ready to fight back or flee.

[Turbineguy]

23. "....the Department of Defense will not be politicized,"

"I'll be here all week and don't forget the wait staff. My name is Joe Buccino!"

[They_Live]

25. right

Mission Accomplished!