'Harsh partisan': Vet explains why Trump 'poses a significant threat to the armed forces'

[Norbert]

...Trump is billing the event as a salute to the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, but many critics are arguing that the parading isn't really honoring the military — it is really an exercise in self-aggrandizement on Trump's part. And the No Kings movement is responding to the parade with large protests that will be held in cities all over the United States, from Boston to Atlanta to Seattle to Chicago.

Will Selber, a military veteran, lays out his criticisms of Trump's June 14 parade in an article published by the conservative website The Bulwark the day before the event: Friday, June 13.

"On Saturday," Selber explains, "nearly 6600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, and a range of aircraft are scheduled to form a grand military parade, ostensibly to celebrate the United States Army's 250th anniversary, which also falls on President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The entire event is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million — but the real costs are much greater…. For his part, President Trump, who has long boasted of his affection for authoritarians, is using this spectacle to boost his tough-guy image at home and abroad."

Selber continues, "While he stands in review in D.C., active-duty marines and National Guard will still be in Los Angeles, ostensibly keeping 'violent insurrectionists' from causing chaos. So as Trump celebrates the military, and attempts to merge his legitimacy with its, he will simultaneously be using it, possibly in violation of the law, against American citizens."

Trump, Selber warns, is using the military in a self-serving way — from the June 14 parade to sending U.S. Marines to Downtown Los Angeles in response to tense protests.

"Trump's politicization of the military and militarization of politics poses a significant threat to the armed forces," the veteran explains. "While every president uses the military to boost their image to some degree, no president has used the military to legitimate harsh partisan rhetoric as Trump has, underscoring concerns that he is attempting to make the military loyal to him, rather than the Constitution. While Americans continue to view the U.S. military favorably, associating the military with President Trump and the Republican Party threatens to jeopardize bipartisan support for one of the few remaining trusted institutions in American life."

Selber adds, "Trump's recent speech at Fort Bragg is likely a harbinger for this weekend's event. During his recent trip, he disparaged California Gov. Newsom and former President Joe Biden, eliciting boos from active-duty service members. Soldiers were also spotted buying partisan merchandise on base. Trump would like the country to believe that the military is populated entirely by MAGAs and is therefore implicitly loyal to him. This is not true…. If Trump really supported the troops, he'd help them do their jobs and reintegrate back into civilian life when their service is over. But as his parade so obviously demonstrates, he's really only interested in the troops supporting him."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/harsh-partisan-vet-explains-why-trump-poses-a-significant-threat-to-the-armed-forces/ar-AA1GFlnE?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=0d43a4e46a8e430da7fbd6800b5ae891&ei=7

[GusBob]

1. All those tanks and heavy armor do not a powerful army make anymore

AI and drones are much more effective, and cheaper. I wonder if drones will be included in his charade

All that heavy stuff is antique.

China is laughing

[mwmisses4289]

2. Tough guy?!?

He looks and acts more like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. Tough guy he ain't!

[UTUSN]

3. K&R