Violation of military regulations: Tom Nichols rebukes Trump’s speech at Fort Bragg

Military & Politics - Trump's rally speech at Fort Bragg with active duty troops raised concerns about politicizing the military [1] - The speech was seen as a violation of military decor and regulations, potentially compromising the military's nonpartisan stance [10][11] - Concerns were raised about Trump viewing the military as his "personal muscle" for political purposes, similar to a Latin American dictatorship [17][19] - The deployment of troops in Los Angeles over the governor's objections exemplifies the risk of bypassing local and state governments [14][18] Leadership & Responsibility - Top military officers are urged to speak out against the assault on the integrity of the troops and uphold the Constitution [6][7][8] - The responsibility for the soldiers' behavior ultimately lies with their officers and leadership [13] - Trump's stacking of institutions with "sycophants and yesmen" hinders checks and balances [9] Historical Context & Potential Risks - The politicization of the military poses a danger to civil rights and democratic processes [20] - There is a risk of the military deciding which elected president to support and potentially undermining the Constitution [20] - The concern is that the military might perceive itself as the "true guardians of the nation," leading to authoritarian tendencies [21]