A former top US general, Charles Q. Brown, who was fired by the Trump administration, has criticized the use of the military for political missions. In an op-ed published in Foreign Affairs, Brown, along with two other authors, pointed to the Trump administration’s deployment of troops to clamp down on crime in major cities as an example of this trend.

Military Deployment

Brown, a retired Air Force general, argued that when presidents use the armed forces for politically contentious missions, such as addressing domestic crime, the work of the military becomes more fraught. He emphasized that resorting to a military solution rather than fixing the underlying incapacity or dysfunction in civilian institutions diverts the military from focusing on its primary combat mission.

The authors also expressed concerns over the administration’s firings of Pentagon officials, with Brown stating that the impact on those still serving could be significant. He questioned whether they would have a fair opportunity to advance in their careers.

Trump Administration Actions

The Trump administration has expanded the use of the military, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deploying thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to crack down on crime in major cities, including Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. Hegseth has touted the work of the National Guard in Washington, calling protesters “ingrates” and emphasizing the importance of law and order.

The op-ed also addressed the ongoing celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary and what it means to be patriotic. The authors wrote that patriotism means recognizing the promise of America’s founding, the progress of its past, and the potential of a shared future.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.