President Donald Trump continues to use irritating language, at a time when many Americans protest against the illegal death of George Floyd and the unfair treatment of black Americans by the justice system in our country. As the protests intensified, the president's speech intensified. He went so far as to make a shocking promise: to send members of the US military to “control” demonstrators in cities, across the country, with or without the approval of local officials or state governors.
On Monday, the president reviewed his approach in the streets of Washington. He brought in 1,600 soldiers from all over the country, who were transferred to the capital, and put them on alert, "to ensure a faster recruitment if necessary," said an unnamed Pentagon official. . As part of Trump's show of strength, military helicopters flew low over peaceful protesters, a military tactic sometimes used to disperse enemy fighters.
He also had strength, including members of the National Guard and federal officers, who used bombs, and pepper spray. According to eyewitness accounts, rubber bullets were used to deter legitimate protesters, as well as the media and clergy, away from the historical Episcopal Church of St. John. And all this so that he can take a politically motivated photo there, with members of his team, including, inappropriately, Minister of Defense Mark Esber and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Millie.
Looting and violence are unacceptable, and perpetrators must be arrested and tried, according to the law, but as events showed, last Monday, near the White House, those who commit such acts are located on the margins of the vast majority of peacefully protested protests.
While many former Presidents have called on our armed forces to provide additional law enforcement assistance in times of national crisis, Among them are Ulysses Grant, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and London Johnson. These presidents have used the military to protect Americans' rights, not violate them.
As former leaders of the Ministry of Defense - Civil and Military, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents; When we took office, we all swore to "defend and support the United States constitution," just as the president and all members of the military swore to that, a fact that General Millie mentioned in a recent memo to members of the armed forces. We are disturbed by the way the president has sworn in this right, by threatening to order members of the US military to violate the rights of American citizens.
Strictly, President Trump has chosen state governors to either end protests that still demand equality in justice under our laws, or expect to send military units to their states. While the "Disobedience Law" gives the president the legal authority to do so, this power was exercised only in the most severe circumstances, when local or local authorities were overwhelmed and unable to protect the rule of law. Historically, as Minister Esber pointed out, the law was seen as a last resort.
In addition to being unnecessary, using our military personnel to suppress protests across the country would be unwise, and this is not the job of our armed forces, and its elements have joined to fight our nation's enemies and ensure, not infringe, on the rights and freedoms of American citizens.
In addition, placing our soldiers in the midst of politically charged internal unrest runs the risk of undermining the non-political nature of the army, which is essential to our democracy. And it runs the risk of diminishing Americans' confidence in our army, and thus America's security, for years to come. As military leaders who have a great commitment to the constitution, freedom, and justice for all Americans, and to the extraordinary men and women who volunteer to serve and protect our nation, we call on the president to end his plans, immediately, to send military personnel to cities as law enforcement agents, to employ them, or to employ any forces Military or other policewoman, in ways that undermine the constitutional rights of Americans. Our military personnel are always ready to serve to defend our country, but they should never be used to violate the rights of those who have vowed to protect them.
Among the military leaders who signed the letter:
■ Former Minister of Defense Leon Panetta.
■ Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
■ Former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.
■ Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen.
■ Former Deputy Chief of Staff Sasha Baker.
Retired General Donna Barbish.
■ Jeremy Bash, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense.