After taking the office, Donald Trump has faced strong criticism for his brazen responses, but things he took things to the next level when urged governors to deploy the military to quell protestors across the nation. As a result, the president now faces unprecedented revolt from his predecessors, as well as the elite corps comprising ex-military officers.
On Jun. 3, former Defense Secretary James Mattis tore into Trump, urging Americans to come together without the president. Trump, according to Mattis, is the first American president that doesn't focus on uniting American people, nor does he even pretend to try.
An officer, revered by his troops, Mattis had remained tight-lipped about the Trump administration after resigning in 2018 but has now accused the president of trying to divide Americans. Mattis described the current situation in the country as a result of three years of Trump's deliberate effort, and the consequences of not having mature leadership during the aforesaid period in a statement (via CNN).
Furthermore, the former Marine general criticized Trump for planning to deploy regular troops to suppress protestors in a blatant threat to the country's political stability. This statement is likely to cause significant damage to the reputation of the president, who recently turned against his ex-defense secretary, but idolizes generals and refers to Mattis as Mad Dog.
This suggests that Trump's order for the military to deploy against protesters would be against their constitutional oath. Moreover, since former top military brass continues to remain loyal to their colleagues and align with the Pentagon, Mattis' broadside is likely to trigger speculation as to whether or not he is revealing thoughts of serving senior officers who are currently remaining mum.
Trump initially tried to discredit Mattis, who was involved in two Iraq wars and served in a combat role in Afghanistan, but who the president deemed as the world's most overrated General in one of his tweets. Trump says Mattis' main strength wasn't military, but personal public relations, adding that despite giving him a new life, and several battles to win, he failed to meet his expectations.
Furthermore, Trump admitted that he didn't like Mattis' leadership style or anything else about him. The president went as far as claiming that many were glad he left. On Jun. 3, former commander of American forces in Afghanistan, retired Gen. John Allen also attacked Trump's response in an op-ed for Foreign Policy.
Allen wrote that peaceful protestors were deprived of their first amendment rights, but the photo-op legitimized that abuse with a cover of religion. He was referring to the order given to the security forces to clear protesters standing outside the White House before Trump came out of the building and stood in front of St. John's Church, holding a Bible aloft.