Why Trump Wants His Own Generals
Reminder: I’ll be speaking at the JFK Lancer conference and also at the CAPA conference. The Lancer conference is being held on November 22-24 in Dallas. The CAPA conference is now being held online. There is also another excellent JFK conference on the same weekend sponsored by the JFK Historical Group. All three of them are fantastic JFK-assassination-related conferences. I highly recommend registering for all three and then picking and choosing which sessions you would like to attend at all three conferences. The registration prices are moderate and it’s a great way to support three great conferences. I will have some of my JFK books at my presentations at the Lancer conference to autograph and sell at a discounted price. I hope to see you all there!
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According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, “The Trump transition team is considering a draft executive order that establishes a ‘warrior board’ of retired senior military personnel with the power to review three- and four-star officers and to recommend removals of any deemed unfit for leadership.” The article cites Trump’s vow to fire “woke generals” — that is, generals who are reputed to be promoting “diversity” in the military at the expense of readiness.
There is another possibility, however, one that is much more discomforting — that Trump is consolidating his power as president and knows that a loyal military establishment will solidify and reinforce that consolidation of power.
According to an October 22, 2024, article in The Atlantic, in a private conversation in the White House heard by two people, Trump stated, “I need the kind of generals that Hitler had. People who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders.” The same article, however, points out that a Trump spokesman named Alex Pfeiffer denied that Trump ever said that. “This is absolutely false,” Pfeiffer declared.
However, regardless of whether Trump made the statement or not, the sentiment expressed in the statement is consistent with Trump’s mindset and modus. Trump is a man who demands absolute loyalty from his acolytes and will not brook opposition or dissent.
Trump learned the importance of having the national-security establishment on his side after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. Unwilling to acknowledge that he had been defeated fair and square, Trump insisted that the election had been “stolen” from him. It is a claim, of course, that he and h
Article from The Future of Freedom Foundation
The Future of Freedom Foundation (FFF) is a leading voice in libertarian thought, tirelessly advocating for individual liberty, free markets, and limited government. Established in 1989, the FFF is more than just a think tank; it’s a hub for intellectual exploration and policy advocacy that draws on the classical liberal tradition and Austrian economics. Through insightful articles, videos, and events featuring top libertarian minds, the organization provides a robust critique of mainstream politics and policies, championing instead the principles that underlie a truly free society. For anyone seeking a principled stand for freedom and limited government, the Future of Freedom Foundation serves as an invaluable resource and an inspiring beacon.
