Maj. General: Trump's Push To Politicize Military Is Like Stalin's Purge
Donald Trump and Whiskey Pete Hegseth are mounting an aggressive push to politicize the top ranks of the US military – a push that smacks of Stalinism and could take years to repair, the former infantry chief who trained troops for the invasion of Iraq has warned. Via The Guardian:
Maj Gen Paul Eaton has sounded the alarm, saying in an interview with the Guardian that the effort to bend the higher echelons of the military to the US president’s will was unparalleled in recent history and could have long-term dire consequences. He warned that both the reputation and efficiency of the world’s most powerful fighting force was in the balance.
[...] The Pentagon purge sent a clear and chilling message that reverberated throughout the military services, Eaton said. “Toe the line, or we will fire you. You’re in a different world now. This is Trump’s world, and by God, this is what we’re going to do.”
The dismissals also sowed doubt throughout the ranks. Would senior officers kowtow to Trump and his defense secretary? Or would they stand up for following the military rules of engagement?