Fortified by troops, foreboding fencing and police in riot gear, Pres. Trump remained protected from largely peaceful protesters this week—but not from the ire of his predecessors and the nation's top military figures.
MORE: 'Enough is enough': Former Defense Secretary Mattis blasts President Trump over handling of protestsDefense Secretary Mark Esper said that he did not think active-duty military troops should be dispatched to American cities to quell unrest, after Trump threatened to do so.
President Donald Trump walks through Lafayette Park to visit St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House during ongoing protests over racial inequality in the wake of the death of George Floyd, at the White House, June 1, 2020.Trump has also found himself increasingly at odds with former presidents.
Former President George W. Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush “have resisted the urge to speak out, because this is not the time for us to lecture. It is time for us to listen.” Former President Jimmy Carter said in a statement that he and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are"pained by the tragic racial injustices and consequent backlash across our nation in recent weeks."
Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, similarly sent an unusual message to the leaders of the different branches of the military that said members of the armed forces swore an oath to the Constitution and its protections for freedom of speech and assembly. The letter served as"cover" for the service leaders to"communicate their feelings" as well, Wormuth said.
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