Former Defense secretary: There’s ‘legitimate fear’ Trump will retaliate if reelected

[mystery-ak]

 Former Defense secretary: There’s ‘legitimate fear’ Trump will retaliate if reelected
by Tara Suter - 09/26/23 9:33 AM ET

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday that he thinks concerns about former President Trump seeking retaliation on officials — such as outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley — are “legitimate.”

“Look, I think it’s a legitimate fear,” Esper told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. “If you recall from my memoir … I cite a circumstance where [Trump], egged on by his close advisers, wanted to call back to active duty Adm. McRaven and Gen. McChrystal, to court-martial them, for some things that they allegedly said in in the public domain, and Milley and I had to talk the president out of doing that, for any number of reasons.”

“The president has also said that a second term would be about retribution, right? So, I think these are all legitimate concerns,” he later added.

Trump made comments last week accusing Milley of a “treasonous act” in which he “was actually dealing with China to give them a heads up on the thinking of the President of the United States.” The former president’s remarks seem to reference calls made by Milley to China for reassurance at the end of Trump’s term.

“This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4223028-former-defense-secretary-legitimate-fear-trump-will-retaliate-if-reelected/

[LMAO]

I do think of Trump presidency is going to be based on retaliation and retribution.

For those who think that that’s a plus, keep in mind that should he win an election, he’s only gonna be there for four years

[Bigun]

I do think of Trump presidency is going to be based on retaliation and retribution.

For those who think that that’s a plus, keep in mind that should he win an election, he’s only gonna be there for four years

You don't think those things warranted given what he has been forced to endure? If so, we are in strong disagreement.

[LMAO]

You don't think those things warranted given what he has been forced to endure? If so, we are in strong disagreement.

You don’t use the office of presidency to get back at your political enemies.

I don’t care whether Biden does it, or Trump. People do not elect presidents to get back at others.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

“This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

See, just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

[Bigun]

You don’t use the office of presidency to get back at your political enemies.

I don’t care whether Biden does it, or Trump. People do not elect presidents to get back at others.

That will come as news to most of the men who have ever served in that office.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

And Milley is a piece of shit of course.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

See, just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

Especially when he is 100% wrong.  The Constitution itself states that "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."  We were not at war with China, or even engaged in military hostilities at all, when Milley took those actions.  Therefore, it isn't Treason. 

Then again, having even a basic understanding of the Constitution he swore to defend has never been one of Trump's strong suits.  We'd likely end up with  Trump demanding that people within his Administration arrest Milley for Treason.  When they tell them "no, we can't do that", he'd probably call them traitors and try to have them arrested too.

He is an ignorant fool.

[Kamaji]

See, just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

[Kamaji]

Trump's mouth loves to start fights that his mind simply cannot win.

[jmyrlefuller]

He's not going to let himself be reflected because that would mean term limits kick in and he becomes irrelevant, his biggest fear.