Past That Shapes the Present
History is more than dates—it’s the foundation of our politics, identity, and culture. We, at Restore Honor, revisit defining moments to better understand today’s debates and decisions.
The Military and Trump
Authored by Frank Sobchak
Civil-Military Relations Under Trump: A Deterioration of Trust and Respect
Civil-military relations, the dynamic between civilian government and military leadership, have long been a cornerstone of American democracy. In the U.S., the military is traditionally seen as an apolitical institution under the control of elected civilian leadership. This balance has been fundamental to preserving democratic values and preventing the rise of military authoritarianism. However, under President Donald Trump, these relations were significantly strained, leading to a deterioration in trust and respect between civilian leadership and the military.
One of the most notable ways in which civil-military relations worsened under Trump was through his public attacks on military leaders. Trump often clashed with his top military officials, most notably with his first Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis. After Mattis resigned in protest over Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, Trump publicly disparaged him, calling Mattis a "loser" and a "failing general." Such insults were not only personal but also undercut the authority of military leadership. This marked a significant break from the tradition of respectful civilian-military relations in the U.S., where differences of opinion were usually settled within private channels rather than in public arenas.
Trump’s frequent disregard for military advice was another factor in the erosion of civil-military trust. His decision to abruptly withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, without consulting military leaders, was widely criticized. Military officials had warned that such a move would create a vacuum that could be exploited by adversaries like Russia and Iran, and would abandon Kurdish allies who had been instrumental in the fight against ISIS. Trump’s refusal to heed these warnings, combined with his disdain for those who disagreed with him, alienated military leaders who felt their professional expertise was being undermined for political expediency.
Another key event that worsened civil-military relations was Trump’s controversial use of the military in domestic affairs. In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Trump ordered the clearing of peaceful demonstrators from Lafayette Square, using federal law enforcement and military police. This move was seen by many as an attempt to use the military for political purposes. General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later expressed regret for his involvement in the photo op that followed, acknowledging that he had been used for political gain. This incident led to a broader debate about the role of the military in civil society and highlighted how the military’s apolitical nature was being compromised.
Trump’s frequent attacks on fallen soldiers also contributed to the degradation of civil-military relations. The most notorious of these was his alleged remark about World War I veterans, calling them "losers" and "suckers." While Trump denied these claims, the damage was done. His disrespect for the sacrifices of military personnel and their families alienated a significant portion of the veteran community. This behavior, in combination with his dismissive attitude toward military leadership, painted a picture of a president who had little regard for those who served in uniform.
The cumulative effect of these actions was a breakdown in the traditional lines of respect and trust between the military and civilian leadership. Trump’s behavior raised questions about the politicization of the armed forces and the role of military leaders in policymaking. Under his administration, the military was often seen as a tool to serve political ends, rather than as a professional, nonpartisan institution. The result was a more polarized and fractured civil-military relationship that has left a lasting impact on American governance.
During Donald Trump's presidency, there were dozens of controversies and scandals involving the U.S. military, some of which involved his leadership decisions, his relationship with military leadership, and his actions that raised ethical and legal concerns. These incidents ranged from controversial military actions and policies to issues related to the treatment of military personnel, the use of military forces for political purposes, and other matters. Below are the key military-related scandals that arose during his time in office:
1. The Use of Military for Political Purposes: Lafayette Square Incident
- Event: On June 1, 2020, during the George Floyd protests, President Trump ordered the clearing of peaceful protesters near the White House, using law enforcement and the U.S. military. This incident took place in Lafayette Square, across from the White House, and involved military police and federal law enforcement officers forcibly clearing the area, so Trump could walk to St. John's Church for a controversial photo-op.
- Scandal: The heavy-handed use of military personnel, including active-duty soldiers, to disperse peaceful protesters sparked outrage. Many viewed the deployment as an attempt to use the military for political gain, especially given the context of the protests centered around racial injustice. The event raised questions about the militarization of domestic law enforcement and the appropriate role of the military in civil unrest.
- Aftermath: The use of military force for such an action was widely criticized, with some military leaders and former officers denouncing it. General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later expressed regret for his involvement in the photo-op, stating that he had been "used" for political purposes.
2. Trump’s Relationship with Military Leadership (Public Criticisms)
- Event: Throughout his presidency, Trump frequently criticized top military leaders, particularly when they disagreed with him. He openly questioned the loyalty of senior military officers and took aim at their policies.
- Scandal: One of the most notable instances occurred when Trump publicly clashed with General James Mattis, his first Secretary of Defense, after Mattis resigned in protest over Trump's decision to pull U.S. troops from Syria in late 2018. Mattis cited concerns over Trump’s handling of foreign policy and his disregard for alliances and partnerships. Trump dismissed Mattis in an undignified manner, calling him a "loser" in public statements.
- Aftermath: Trump's relationship with military leaders became increasingly strained, with accusations that he was undermining military professionalism and weakening civilian-military relations. Critics believed Trump’s handling of military matters was erratic and politicized.
3. The Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Syria (2019)
- Event: In December 2018, Trump announced via Twitter that U.S. troops would be withdrawing from Syria, specifically from the areas where American forces had been fighting ISIS. This decision was made unilaterally, without consulting military leaders, and it shocked both allies and adversaries alike.
- Scandal: The sudden withdrawal led to significant backlash, particularly from military officials, who argued that it was premature and could create a power vacuum that would be filled by adversaries like Russia, Iran, and the Syrian government. Critics also feared it would abandon Kurdish allies who had fought alongside U.S. forces in Syria. The decision was seen as undermining the United States’ credibility and strategic interests in the region.
- Aftermath: Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria was widely condemned, even by some members of Congress from both parties. It also led to the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis, who cited differences over the decision. The move was seen as a major blunder in U.S. foreign policy.
4. The Soldier Condemnation Incident (John Kelly and Military Families)
- Event: In 2017, after the deaths of four U.S. soldiers in Niger, Trump’s handling of the situation generated considerable controversy. During a phone call with the widow of Army Sgt. La David Johnson, Trump reportedly said that “he knew what he signed up for” when he enlisted in the military. This comment was widely condemned as callous and disrespectful, especially by the family of the fallen soldier.
- Scandal: Trump's remarks were seen as deeply insensitive to military families, and the incident led to national outcry. Many accused Trump of lacking empathy and understanding for the sacrifices of military personnel and their families. His response to the tragedy became a focal point of criticism from both military families and the general public.
- Aftermath: The controversy also brought attention to the treatment of military families by the Trump administration. His statement contrasted sharply with the more empathetic responses from previous presidents, further eroding his relationship with the military community.
5. The Controversial Military Parade (2018)
- Event: In 2018, Trump pushed for a grand military parade to celebrate American strength, which was to be held in Washington, D.C. He was reportedly inspired by the military parades he had seen in other countries, including France's Bastille Day celebrations.
- Scandal: The proposal was met with widespread criticism from military leaders, veterans, and politicians from both parties. Many saw it as a move to glorify Trump’s image rather than honor the military, and there were concerns about the cost, which was estimated to be tens of millions of dollars. Additionally, military officials feared that such a spectacle could blur the line between the military and political leadership, violating the principle of civilian control over the military.
- Aftermath: Due to the backlash, the parade was eventually canceled, though some elements of the event (such as military flyovers) were incorporated into the 4th of July celebrations. Critics contended that the whole affair was emblematic of Trump’s tendency to prioritize personal spectacle over national unity.
6. Trump’s Handling of Military COVID-19 Cases
- Event: As the COVID-19 pandemic spread in 2020, Trump’s administration faced criticism for its handling of outbreaks within the military. In particular, the case of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt sparked national attention.
- Scandal: The outbreak of COVID-19 aboard the aircraft carrier resulted in dozens of cases among the ship's crew. Navy Captain Brett Crozier, the commanding officer, wrote a letter urging higher authorities to take stronger measures to protect the sailors, but the letter was leaked to the media. Trump publicly criticized Crozier, and the captain was relieved of his command despite widespread support from his crew.
- Aftermath: The firing of Captain Crozier led to significant public backlash, with many people questioning the military’s response to the outbreak and the Trump administration’s handling of the situation. Critics argued that Trump prioritized military optics over the health and safety of service members, and that the decision to fire Crozier was politically motivated.
7. Bounties on U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan (Russian Allegations)
- Event: In 2020, reports surfaced that Russia had allegedly offered bounties to Taliban fighters for killing U.S. and coalition soldiers in Afghanistan. U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly briefed Trump on these findings, but Trump was initially slow to respond or publicly address the issue.
- Scandal: The report was widely criticized as a serious breach of U.S. security and intelligence, and Trump faced accusations of not taking the threat seriously enough, potentially endangering U.S. troops. Trump’s failure to act on the report or publicly condemn Russia was seen by many as an act of deference to Vladimir Putin.
- Aftermath: While Trump denied being briefed on the matter initially, the situation raised concerns about his reluctance to confront Russia and his perceived leniency toward Putin, even when it was believed that Russian actions were directly harming American soldiers.
8. Trump and the Military "Heroes" Controversy
- Event: In 2020, The Atlantic published a report alleging that Trump referred to American soldiers who died in World War I as “losers” and “suckers.” The report was based on anonymous sources, and Trump vehemently denied the allegations, calling them false and defamatory.
- Scandal: The comments were seen as deeply disrespectful toward the military and veterans, and they sparked widespread backlash from the public, especially from veterans and military families.
- Aftermath: The controversy lingered throughout the 2020 election campaign, with Trump’s opponents using it to paint him as disrespectful to military personnel. While the veracity of the claim was debated, the damage to Trump’s reputation among certain segments of the military community was significant.
9. Disrespect for War Hero John McCain
- Event: Trump’s feud with Senator John McCain, a former Navy pilot and Vietnam War hero, was one of the most publicized aspects of his relationship with the military. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump famously said, “I like people who weren’t captured,” in reference to McCain’s time as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. McCain had been tortured and held captive for over five years before being released in 1973.
- Trump’s Response: Trump repeatedly mocked McCain's military service and even dismissed his status as a war hero. His comment was widely condemned by veterans, military families, and McCain’s supporters.
- Impact: Trump's remarks were seen as deeply disrespectful to veterans, particularly those who had suffered in captivity. McCain, a respected military figure, was a symbol of honor and sacrifice for many. Trump’s remarks fueled a wider narrative that he lacked understanding or respect for military service and the sacrifices made by service members.
- Aftermath: The attack on McCain left a lasting mark on Trump’s relationship with the military community. Even after McCain’s death in 2018, Trump continued to make negative comments about the late senator. This feud with a widely respected military figure damaged Trump's standing among many in the veteran community and made him appear disrespectful toward military sacrifice.
Attacks on Military Leadership
- Event: Trump frequently criticized military leaders during his presidency, especially when they disagreed with him. He particularly targeted former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis after Mattis resigned in 2018 over Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. Trump also clashed with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley over military-related decisions.
- Trump's Response: After Mattis resigned, Trump called him a "loser" and a "failing" figure. Trump also mocked Mattis in various public statements, including his claim that the former defense secretary was "overrated" and that he was "weak." Trump had similar criticisms for other military officials who did not align with his decisions or policies.
- Impact: Trump's attacks on military leadership were seen as damaging to civilian-military relations. Many military officials expressed concern that the president was undermining the authority and professionalism of military leadership, particularly when they disagreed with him.
- Aftermath: These attacks continued throughout Trump’s presidency, with some military leaders speaking out against him. The constant criticism of military leadership eroded the traditional lines of respect between elected officials and military professionals and raised concerns about the politicization of the military.
Donald Trump’s presidency was marked by a number of high-profile attacks and controversies involving the U.S. military, its leadership, and military personnel. Whether it was his insults toward fallen soldiers, conflicts with military leadership, or the use of the military for personal and political gain, these incidents left a lasting impression on his relationship with the armed forces and their families. Critics argued that Trump’s behavior undermined respect for the military and weakened the norms of civilian-military relations, raising questions about his commitment to those who serve and sacrifice in uniform.
Sources:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/dangerous-new-civil-military-bargain
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/05/civil-military-relations-in-the-united-states/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0095327X221106783?download=true
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2021-04-09/national-security-crisis-command