‘Dictatorial ways’

[George K]

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-military-fears-rcna129159?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma&taid=65a3fdfdbfa495000187e4e9&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Donald Trump is sparking fears among those who understand the inner workings of the Pentagon that he would convert the nonpartisan U.S. military into the muscular arm of his political agenda as he makes comments about dictatorship and devalues the checks and balances that underpin the nation’s two-century-old democracy.

A circle of appointees independent of Trump’s political operation steered him away from ideas that would have pushed the limits of presidential power in his last term, according to books they’ve written and testimony given to Congress. Most were gone by the end. In a new term, many former officials worry that Trump would instead surround himself with loyalists unwilling to say no.

Trump has raised fresh questions about his intentions if he regains power by putting forward a legal theory that a president would be free to do nearly anything with impunity — including assassinate political rivals — so long as Congress can’t muster the votes to impeach him and throw him out of office.

Now, bracing for Trump’s potential return, a loose-knit network of public interest groups and lawmakers is quietly devising plans to try to foil any efforts to expand presidential power, which could include pressuring the military to cater to his political needs.

Those taking part in the effort told NBC News they are studying Trump’s past actions and 2024 policy positions so that they will be ready if he wins in November. That involves preparing to take legal action and send letters to Trump appointees spelling out consequences they’d face if they undermine constitutional norms.

“We’re already starting to put together a team to think through the most damaging types of things that he [Trump] might do so that we’re ready to bring lawsuits if we have to,” said Mary McCord, executive director of the Institution for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law.

[Mik]

Like the military would go for that.

[George K]

@Mik said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

Like the military would go for that.

Yeah, sounds insurrection-ey like a junta.

"We have to defend the Constitution by ignoring it."

[Jolly]

Well, The Resident has been using the Just-us Department as his private political playpen.

You know Mr. Biden, don't start no shit and there won't be no shit started.

I don't think Mr. Trump can or would use the military for personal vendettas. I find it illuminating Mr. Trump's opponents think he would. I think that says volumes about them. Trump functions as a Rorschach Test once again.

[Mik]

In many ways he plays them like a fiddle.

[Copper]

@George-K said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

devising plans to try to foil any efforts

It's good that we have someone to protect the voters.

[George K]

Remember, the "Deep State" is a myth.

[Axtremus]

@Jolly said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

I don't think Mr. Trump can or would use the military for personal vendettas.

He could, he tried. See, for example, this statement by former Sec. Def. and former 4-star Marine Corp General James Mattis:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/mattis-protests-statement/index.html

[Jolly]

@Axtremus said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

@Jolly said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

I don't think Mr. Trump can or would use the military for personal vendettas.

He could, he tried. See, for example, this statement by former Sec. Def. and former 4-star Marine Corp General James Mattis:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/mattis-protests-statement/index.html

In other words you cannot use the military to protect civilians from murder, arson and beatings delivered by antifa and BLM rioters.

Okay ...

[George K]

@Axtremus said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

@Jolly said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

I don't think Mr. Trump can or would use the military for personal vendettas.

He could, he tried. See, for example, this statement by former Sec. Def. and former 4-star Marine Corp General James Mattis:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/mattis-protests-statement/index.html

Because wanting to call out the military to stop riots is a personal vendetta?

Try again.

Oh, and isn't the National Guard part of the military? I have vague recollections of them being called out to break up riots.

[Jolly]

@George-K said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

@Axtremus said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

@Jolly said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

I don't think Mr. Trump can or would use the military for personal vendettas.

He could, he tried. See, for example, this statement by former Sec. Def. and former 4-star Marine Corp General James Mattis:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/mattis-protests-statement/index.html

Because wanting to call out the military to stop riots is a personal vendetta?

Try again.

Oh, and isn't the National Guard part of the military? I have vague recollections of them being called out to break up riots.

Not on January 6th. Trump offered them to Pelosi before the rally, but Pelosi had other plans...

[George K]

@Jolly said in ‘Dictatorial ways’:

Not on January 6th. Trump offered them to Pelosi before the rally, but Pelosi had other plans...

Desegregating schools