Trump launches unprecedented attack on Pentagon leadership
Washington DC, Sep 8 (efe-epa).- The United States president has launched an unprecedented public attack by a national leader against the country’s military leadership, accusing them of waging wars to boost defense contractor profits.
“I’m not saying the military’s in love with me – the soldiers are,” he said at a White House press conference.
“The top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy,” he continued.
Trump also suggested the military opposed bringing troops home when the Islamic State terror group was defeated.
“I say, that’s good, they’re gone, let’s bring our soldiers back home,” he said. “Some people don’t like to come home. Some people like to continue to spend money.”
The comments came amid tension he has had with the military after The Atlantic magazine reported that in 2018 the US president called American soldiers who lost their lives in the battle of the Belleau Wood in France during World War I “losers” and “suckers.”
The magazine added that in 2017 Trump said he did not understand what citizens gained by going abroad to fight for their country.
He has denied making the comments.
After the president’s comments on Monday, defense sources on expressed to CNN their concern that his accusations against the top brass of the army could have a corrosive effect on the country.
“The president’s comments about the motivations of military leaders not only demeans their service and that of those they lead; he lends credence to the very disdain and thoughtlessness he tries to deny,” said retired US Navy rear admiral and CNN analyst John Kirby.
Trump’s relationship with the military has also been strained since he threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to put troops on the streets to deal with the racial justice rallies sweeping the country over summer.
The Pentagon has not yet made any comment regarding Trump’s statement.
He is currently in the middle of his campaign for re-election in November. EFE-EPA
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