Military leaders condemn Trump over protest response
President Donald Trump is facing an unprecedented revolt from the elite corps of ex-military leaders and presidents over his brazen response to mass protests and inflaming of racial divides.
In a true Washington bombshell on Wednesday evening, former Defense Secretary James Mattis, a warrior revered by his troops, told Americans they must come together without the President.
"Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people -- does not even pretend to try," said Mattis, who has kept silent since resigning in 2018.
"Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership," said the retired Marine general in a statement, criticizing Trump for threatening to deploy regular troops to quell unrest in a flagrant threat to US political stability.
The statement will come as a body blow to Trump, who although he latterly turned against his ex-defense secretary, idolizes generals and loved referring to Mattis as "Mad Dog."
It is particularly extraordinary since it appears to imply that an order by Trump for troops to deploy against protesters would be a breach of their constitutional oath. And since former top military brass remain highly loyal to their comrades and plugged into the Pentagon, one of the most political of power centers, Mattis' broadside will spark speculation as to whether he is conveying the thoughts of serving senior officers who are unable to speak out.
Trump's initial reaction was to discredit Mattis, who served in combat roles in two Iraq wars and in Afghanistan but who the President described on Twitter as "the world's most overrated General."
But, he notes, "His primary strength was not military, but rather personal public relations. I gave him a new life, things to do, and battles to win, but he seldom 'brought home the bacon'. I didn't like his 'leadership' style or much else about him, and many others agree. Glad he is gone!"
(sources - CNN)
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