OPINION: Donald Trump is seeking to infuse politics into America’s military forces
Donald Trump has repeatedly shown disrespect for America’s non-political military forces for selflessly performing their role of serving the country’s vital security interests. That likely caused him to call soldiers who died fighting for our country “suckers” and “losers.” At a 2017 Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, Trump asked his Homeland Security Secretary, General John Kelly, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” As a person who always puts his own interests above those of the country, he could not fathom that our warriors would risk their lives to protect the United States.
On the other hand, Trump has demonstrated great enthusiasm for the concept of using our armed forces to serve his personal needs and political interests. He was almost giddy in announcing the June 14 parade of American military might in Washington. Trump claimed it will be “bigger and better” than any previous parade in U.S. history. For some of us who voluntarily served in the Vietnam War, it is jarring that a Vietnam era draft dodger would work so hard to project a military strongman image.
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