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Former defense ministers oppose Trump’s military threat

Updated June 6, 2020, 10:20 pm

Several former US Defense Ministers have opposed President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the military over the ongoing protests in the United States.

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In a guest post on Friday (local time) in The Washington Post, ex-Defense Ministers Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, Aston Carter, and 86 other former defense politicians and officers warned against using the military in a manner that violates American constitutional rights would undermine. The protests sparked on the death of African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation in Minneapolis on May 25.

“Members of our military are always ready to serve to defend our nation, but they must never be used to violate the rights of those they have sworn to protect,” the post said. The president is called on to immediately postpone his plans for military action. Such an effort would not only be unnecessary, but unwise.

Deployment could undermine the apolitical nature of the military

The authors also wrote that such an engagement in the midst of the “politically charged” protests threatens to undermine the apolitical nature of the military, which is essential for democracy. “There is also a danger that Americans’ confidence in our military – and with it America’s security – will be weakened for years to come.” Trump had threatened to deploy the military on Monday. Previously, the protests were over Floyds Death partially degenerated into rioting and looting.

Trump’s former Secretary of Defense James Mattis had already criticized the president as a splitter on Wednesday for dealing with the protests. On Friday, Trump’s former chief of staff John Kelly joined Mattis’ criticism. Both Mattis and Kelly are former generals.

Riots and looting have decreased significantly

Riots and looting in the wake of the nationwide protests have now subsided significantly. Trump has repeatedly condemned Floyd’s death in the brutal operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, and stressed the right to peaceful protests. However, he is accused of not clearly positioning himself against racism and of not showing enough understanding for the anger about discrimination and injustice in the country. (dpa / fra)

Protests have been going on in the United States for several days after George Floyd’s death. In Buffalo, officials injured an older protester. The video of the incident went around the world and caused outrage.


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