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WASHINGTON (AP) – The words spoken by America’s top military officer wore a familiar ring, but in the midst of a chaotic week at the Pentagon, they were particularly poignant.
“We are unique among the military,” said General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We do not take an oath to a king or a queen, a tyrant or a dictator. We do not take an oath to an individual. “
Milley was speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of an army museum in a week that saw President Donald Trump sack Defense Secretary Mark Esper and install three loyalists to high-level political positions in the Pentagon . The abrupt changes raised concerns about what Trump might try to do in his final two months in office – and whether the military’s long-standing apolitical nature could be turned upside down.
Milley’s comments, made as he stood alongside Esper’s successor, Acting Defense Chief Christopher Miller, reflected a view that had long fascinated him: the unequivocal duty of the military to protect and defend the Constitution – what he called “the moral north star” for everyone. uniform.
But his message in a time of turmoil – Trump refused to concede his electoral loss – was undeniable: the military exists to defend democracy and should not be used as a political pawn. “We take an oath to the Constitution,” Milley said, adding that every member of the service “will protect and defend this document regardless of personal cost.”
Trump’s motivations for the Pentagon reshuffle are unclear, but it has created a lot of unease in the building. Did he just hit Esper and others he didn’t think were loyal enough? Or is there a broader plan to enact policy changes that Trump might brag about in his final days as Commander-in-Chief?
Indeed, Trump had grown increasingly angry with Esper, who openly disagreed with his desire to use the military on active duty during the June civil unrest. Esper had also worked with military leaders to dissuade Trump from completely withdrawing his troops from Syria and Afghanistan. His dismissal had long been widespread.
If the motive is to hand Trump swift policy changes, filling top positions with more submissive loyalists will help – especially in any effort to prevent a smooth transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden . Accelerating troop withdrawals can also be a goal – but there are a fairly limited number of other options.
Swift, sweeping changes in Trump’s last 10 weeks are unlikely in a building that prides itself on exhaustive planning. The Pentagon is a massive bureaucracy and doesn’t turn around in no time. And while the department is rooted in the democratic foundation of a civilian-controlled army, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are powerful presidential advisers with decades of experience and armed with documents detailing the potential consequences of national security actions.
So far, the military commanders have not received any new orders. And senior military leaders – including Milley – advise patience and stability. They project an America that remains a strong and reliable world power, where things remain stable.
Most view Afghanistan as a potential indicator. Trump has long talked about bringing troops home for the holidays, while military leaders have called for a more orderly withdrawal that gives them time to get out equipment and pressure the Taliban during peace talks. Achieving the goal of withdrawing all troops could be Trump’s last pump as commander-in-chief.
In nearly four years, Milley and his predecessor, Marine General Joseph Dunford, were able to curb or shape the White House’s impulses on warfare. They succeeded in arguing against the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Syria, and they slowed down troop withdrawals from Afghanistan to preserve America’s negotiating status with the Taliban and keep an eye out for the resurgence of militants from the ‘Islamic State. Milley joined Esper in persuading Trump not to use active-duty troops to quell civil unrest.
But on other political issues, Pentagon leaders hailed and marched forward. They found ways to use Defense Department money to help build Trump’s promised southern border wall, created his much-sought after Space Force, circumvented an explicit Confederate flag ban, and refrained to change bases named after Confederate generals. Esper also conveyed Trump’s message about increasing defense spending to NATO allies, with modest success. The move for more Allied spending was a continuation of a push by the Obama administration.
Abrupt personnel changes this week, however, have heightened the anxiety of civilian and military personnel in the five-sided building. In addition to replacing Esper with former director of the National Counterterrorism Center Miller, Trump installed loyalists Anthony Tata as Under Secretary for Policy and Esra Cohen-Watnick as Acting Under Secretary for Intelligence. James Anderson, who had been acting Under Secretary for Policy, and Joseph Kernan, who was Under Secretary for Intelligence, both resigned Tuesday.
Miller also brought in his own chief of staff, Kash Patel, who was among the small group of aides who traveled extensively with Trump during the latter part of the campaign. And he called on Douglas MacGregor, a staunch spokesperson for the withdrawal from Afghanistan, as his senior adviser.
Miller has said little about his plans. In his first meetings with key defense leaders this week, he took the time to present his biography – it includes his service as the Army Green Beret and a stint as Pentagon Assistant Secretary for special operations. He has participated in video calls, including on the pandemic, and has spoken with combatant commanders.
The opening Wednesday of the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Va., Was his first public event, and he used it to talk about his enlistment and his pride in military service. Beside him were Milley, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and Chief of Staff of the Army, General James McConville. Everyone spoke and Trump’s name and the election were never mentioned.
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