Trump's politics are dangerous for the US military.

TLDR

Thomas Shull argues that Donald Trump’s politicization of the U.S. military undermines its apolitical nature and threatens democratic norms. By drawing the military into partisan conflicts and implying their support, Trump risks eroding military loyalty to the Constitution and destabilizing civil-military relations, a foundational pillar of U.S. democracy.

Thomas Shull argues that Donald Trump’s politics are dangerous for the U.S. military because they challenge the longstanding tradition of an apolitical military, a cornerstone of American democracy. Shull explains that the U.S. military should remain neutral, following the ideal established by political scientist Samuel Huntington. This framework dictates that the military should operate in its own “military sphere.” At the same time, civilian leaders control the political sphere, ensuring that the military remains subordinate to civilian authority.
 
During Trump’s presidency, however, he repeatedly blurred the lines between these spheres, engaging the military in partisan politics. For example, Trump’s speeches often implied that the military supported him politically, and he sought to use the military for personal gain. This was most notably seen when Trump considered deploying the National Guard to interfere with the 2020 election results. Shull warns that such actions undermine the principle of civilian control over the military, potentially encouraging service members to engage in political matters.
 
Furthermore, Shull emphasizes that Trump’s rhetoric, such as his suggestion to suspend the Constitution to reverse the 2020 election results, risks eroding the military’s loyalty to the Constitution. By drawing the military into partisan conflicts, Trump threatens the stability of civil-military relations, which could result in military personnel being politicized, further dividing the country.
 
Shull calls for renewed efforts by military leaders and Congress to reinforce the principle of an apolitical military and prevent future presidents from crossing this dangerous line.
 
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