Since Trump formed his Administration, more qualified people have resigned or been fired than during any other first-term U.S. president. General Mattis resigned after Trump pulled troops out of Syria in 2018, leaving the Kurds, our allies in the fight against ISIS, abandoned. As a marine and general for over 28 years, Mattis decided he no longer would be trotted out like a military prop by Trump to support policies he opposed. Most Americans knew when Trump first announced, “I know more than the generals do”, we were in deep sh@t. How could anybody think that statement is true? How could a layperson, newly elected to the presidency, with no military or government experience make such a false grandiose statement like that and be entrusted as commander-in-chief? Having a Republican Senate who is choosing party over country answers the question.
Patriots, especially military professionals, adhere to the chain of command and show respect for traditions, the law, and the office of president as the commander-in-chief. White House insiders have said while Trump was setting foreign policy regarding the Middle East, North Korea, and China, many generals were silently attempting to steer him away from disastrous decisions. Former Chief-of-Staff General Kelly notoriously clashed with Trump over his impulsive and often ill-informed decisions regarding foreign policy, domestic affairs, and running his administration. Kelly was ultimately fired, and since Mattis and Kelly left their jobs, Trump committed to hiring people based on loyalty pledges, not qualifications. It has been curious why it took Mattis, Kelly, and at least 10 other high-level military and Pentagon officials this long to speak out about Trump’s violation of the Constitution.
The generals are particularly concerned by the language Trump has been using to describe protestors. His language suggests they are enemies, not American citizens executing their Constitutional rights. The use of tear gas and the military to act in the role of law enforcement is particularly concerning to these military heroes who know how the military’s role is defined in the Constitution. The message we are getting from the military opposition to Trump’s handling of the protests against police brutality against black men is that he is using the military like a dictator. Military professionals and government officials take an oath to defend the Constitution. Being loyal to the Constitution is what a patriot does. It is the document that defines the American democracy. The military coming out in support of the Constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly is a rebuke of actions Trump takes which violate American rights and puts lives in danger.
Republican Senators look weak and ashamed when asked by reporters what they thought of Trump using tear gas on peaceful protestors. They were asked what they thought of him taking that action so he could take the staged walk to the church for the photo op holding the Bible. As has been the case throughout Trump’s presidency, these senators run from the camera’s, with phony excuses of being late for a meeting or not informed enough to make comments. The truth is, if they agreed with the anti-constitutional, dangerous actions of the president, they would excitedly come to the microphone and claim their support. None of them speak out and their silence is clearly a sign of cowardice and opportunism. Like the military generals, members of Congress take an oath to defend the Constitution, but instead of keeping true to their oath, they stay are complicit with a president who is acting out of the bounds of democracy.
TRUMP IS A NARCISSIST. HE IS A DIVIDER. HE IS AN ADULTERER. HE IS A REALITY TV STAR AND AN ATTENTION JUNKIE. HE HAS NO EXPERIENCE WITH THE MILITARY AND NO GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE. SINCE ELECTED PRESIDENT HE HAS CAMPAIGNED MORE THAN HE HAS GOVERNED. HE WILL SAY ANYTHING TO WIN. HE SPREADS MISINFORMATION, BLATANTLY LIES, AND IS FRIGHTENINGLY ATTRACTED TO DICTATORS BOTH PAST AND PRESENT. IT SEEMS HE HAS STUDIED THESE LEADERS, AS HIS RHETORIC, AND BODY MOVEMENTS OFTEN PARALLEL HISTORICAL CLIPS OF MUSSOLINI AND HITLER. WHAT HE SHOULD ALSO STUDY IS THEIR LIVES DID NOT HAVE GOOD ENDINGS. GOOD ALWAYS WINS OVER EVIL.
