Originally posted on June 3, 2020
This was the title of a recent article in the Atlantic magazine by the retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. The entire article is worth reading, but to me the most important paragraph follows.
I remain confident in the professionalism of our men and women in uniform. They will serve with skill and with compassion. They will obey lawful orders. But I am less confident in the soundness of the orders they will be given by this commander in chief, and I am not convinced that the conditions on our streets, as bad as they are, have risen to the level that justifies a heavy reliance on military troops. Certainly, we have not crossed the threshold that would make it appropriate to invoke the provisions of the Insurrection Act.
When a lifelong military officer isn’t certain Trump will be issuing “sound” orders, and puts currently-serving officers on notice that they should be examining any orders Trump gives, this really drives home just how bad Trump is.
Update – the fallout from Monday’s events continues. More senior military leaders are speaking out about Trump’s use of soldiers on America’s streets.