The Trump regime has shown a willingness, a delight even, to cross the boundaries of legality, constitutionality and ethics. Trump believes that he is empowered to do just about anything he pleases, and this time he has filled the government with lackeys who will carry out his every wish without hesitation.
The only thing that has stood in his way up to now is the judiciary. Even Trump-appointed judges have shown some level of integrity and opposed his more egregious executive orders. This has irritated Trump and his minions to no small degree, and they have already indicated that they are willing to bypass or ignore court decisions if they see fit.
Thus, the question arises: who can stop Trump if he chooses to go full dictator and ignores court rulings? Given the current obsequious nature of the republican-controlled congress, there is little chance that they will intercede or attempt to rein him in. The only force left that is capable of stopping him would be the American people. I believe there will be mass protests if Trump openly defies the courts.
But Trump has already indicated that he would eagerly deploy the armed forces if significant protests occur. Therefore, the most important question we may face in the months ahead is whether the US military will allow itself to be used by Trump to quell protests in a situation where he has clearly violated the constitution and any reasonable interpretation of presidential authority and ethics.
The military is expected to be apolitical. It has both civilian and military leadership, with the President being the commander-in-chief. But every officer in the military takes an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. In theory, if there is a conflict between the President and the Constitution, their path is clear: to protect and defend the constitution.
The military is conservative and masculine by nature. Does this imply that it will tend to be supportive of the Trump ethos? If one believes the Hollywood blockbuster version of the military, it would not be difficult to imagine the military falling in line with Trump’s authoritarian dictates. But as a former military officer and the son, grandson and nephew of Naval Academy graduates, I have a very strong opinion that contradicts this assumption.
For US military officers, character, leadership qualities and discipline are the most important personal attributes. Military officers detest poor character. They admire honesty, modesty, integrity and ethical behavior.
Trump’s macho version of America may appeal to the common soldier, but his character flaws, his lying, his boasting, his preening, his immorality, his lack of ethics and his arrogance are red flags to military leaders. They will support him up to a point simply because he is the commander-in-chief, but I firmly believe that they will refuse to comply with orders to take arms against the American people if Trump has violated the constitution.
I sense that Trump’s momentum is already beginning to wane and that the consequences of his chaotic first months and his economic missteps will soon manifest themselves and prevent the worst from happening. But I also am confident that if push comes to shove, the American military will demonstrate its true nature and integrity and oppose the first American tyrant.
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