In the lead-up to the next presidential election, some former Trump appointees are expressing deep concerns about the possibility of his return to the White House. A forthcoming book by journalist Bob Woodward reveals that retired U.S. Army General Mark Milley, who served as Trump’s chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, strongly criticized Trump.
Milley described Trump as “fascist to the core” and warned that he is “the most dangerous person to this country.” These stark words come from someone who worked closely with Trump and has first-hand experience of his leadership.
Milley’s criticism is particularly notable given his long, apolitical career in military service. As someone who dedicated his life to serving the commander in chief, regardless of political affiliation, Milley is not someone prone to making political statements.
His decision to speak out against Trump in such a public and forceful way highlights the seriousness of the threat he believes Trump poses to the country. Milley’s actions underscore his deep concerns about the potential consequences of Trump regaining power.
Donald Trump
Milley’s warnings have gained even more significance in light of Trump’s recent comments about potentially using military power on U.S. soil. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump suggested he would use the military against what he called “the enemy from within” on Election Day.
This raises concerns about how Trump might wield power if he were to win a second term and whether he might attempt to use the military to achieve political goals or suppress opposition.
The responsibility of preventing such extreme actions would fall not only on the rule of law but also on the character and integrity of the U.S. military.
Members of the armed forces take an oath to defend the Constitution, not an individual and are bound by that commitment to uphold the nation’s democratic principles. This oath is a safeguard against any leader attempting to misuse military power for personal or political gain.
However, Milley and others fear that Trump and his allies are attempting to replace the military’s principled leaders with loyalists who would carry out his commands without question. This fear is why Milley referred to Trump as “the most dangerous person to this country” and why this upcoming election is seen as so critical.
The future of American democracy, according to Milley and other critics, hinges on the outcome of the election and the potential for Trump to undermine key democratic institutions.
