Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and President Donald Trump at the Pentagon following a meeting of the National Security Council in Washington, D.C., July 20, 2017. (DOD/U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique A. Pineiro)
NBC: Retired diplomats, generals slam Trump over using U.S. military to 'intimidate' protesters
“Misuse of the military for political purposes would weaken the fabric of our democracy,” they wrote in a statement posted on the JustSecurity website.
WASHINGTON — More than 280 retired diplomats, generals and senior national security officials on Friday called on President Donald Trump not to use the U.S. military for political ends, warning American democracy was at risk.
“As former American ambassadors, generals and admirals, and senior federal officials, we are alarmed by calls from the President and some political leaders for the use of U.S. military personnel to end legitimate protests in cities and towns across America,” the former officials said in a statement posted on the JustSecurity website, which listed the authors as retired senior diplomats Douglas Silliman, Deborah McCarthy and Thomas Countryman.
“We are concerned about the use of U.S. military assets to intimidate and break up peaceful protestors in Washington, D.C.,” they wrote, citing recent incidents that played out this week outside the White House.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 5, 2020
Scores of Retired Military Leaders Publicly Denounce President Trump -- Time/AP
The prominent former military leaders who have criticized Trump's actions over protests -- CNN
Esper and Milley refuse to testify about military's role in policing protests, source says -- CNN
Pentagon War Game Includes Scenario for Military Response to Domestic Gen Z Rebellion -- Nick Turse, The Intercept
Should U.S. police get free military equipment? Protests revive debate -- Reuters
Intel: Key Republican questions Pentagon’s proposed military training program -- Al-Monitor
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Navy Carrier Sidelined by Virus Back Operating in Pacific -- VOA/AP
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Navy Lacks ‘Clear Theory of Victory’ Needed to Build New Fleet, Experts Tell House Panel -- USNI News
Navy SEAL training resumes after pandemic hiatus -- UPI
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US Ban on Chinese Students With Military Links Divides Experts on Impact -- VOA
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SPY STORM Downing Street blasts MI6’s chief’s ‘fanciful claims’ that coronavirus was man-made in Chinese lab -- The SUN
Chinese Debates on the Military Utility of Artificial Intelligence -- Michael Dahm, War On The Rocks
Beijing's military adventurism in the Himalayas is risky. The world is big enough for the rise of India and China -- CNN
India and Australia sign pacts to strengthen military ties as tensions simmer in South China Sea -- CNN
New Zealand military buys 5 Lockheed Hercules planes for $1B -- FOX News/AP
