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As an advisory board member of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a veteran with over 41 years in uniform, I must weigh in on the unprecedented, profound, and devastating impact that the Friday Night Massacre at the Pentagon will have on the most trusted institution in our federal government, the military. In particular, the firings of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), General "CQ" Brown (USAF), the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Jim Slife, clear the way for the President to install those that have pledged loyalty first and foremost to him. These firings follow the removal of the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Linda Fagan, on 21 Jan 2025 – the first full day of Donald Trump's second presidential term.
While no replacement nominees have been announced for Adm Franchetti or Gen Slife, Trump has tabbed a retired US Air Force Lieutenant General from the National Guard, Dan Caine to replace Brown. Caine has NEVER commanded any organization larger than a maintenance group. He has had some important staff and deputy position, and is FAR more qualified for his job than the current Secretary of Defense (SecDef) is for his, but then that's a very, very low bar. More on Caine later.
Let me be very clear. Trump’s firing of these generals is a message to our nation and the entire military: loyalty to him is much more important than loyalty to our country. He isn’t removing these individuals because they’re unqualified—that can't be the case with Brown because Trump nominated him to be Chief of Staff of the Air Force. It's not because they disagree on strategy and tactics in a future conflict, or how best to deter our adversaries. No. He simply wants a military that will do his bidding whether or not it’s in America’s best interest. Remember, this is the man that asked a former SecDef if, after deploying regular military units against Black Lives Matters protesters, these soldiers could shoot American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights!
Needlessly firing experienced, qualified leaders for purely political reasons will harm our military readiness and make America and Americans less safe. The leaders who Donald Trump is removing from their posts are deeply qualified, experienced, and have devoted decades to making the U.S. military the strongest fighting force in the history of the world. Removing these leaders will embolden our adversaries—as they will be replaced by others with less professional experience—and leave the United States more vulnerable to attack. Our people in uniform will lose talented, experienced, and profoundly respected leaders at a time of unparalleled global risk.
In the wake of the confirmation of an alcohol-abuser, financial mismanager, and alleged sexual assailant—his body plastered with Christian Nationalist tattoos (pointed out by the MRFF and others)—who has never served in the military beyond the grade of major, Brown's replacement may look nearly qualified for the job. Tom Nichols, in The Atlantic, paints a vivid picture of Caine and why he is inappropriate for the job:
"Trump apparently met Caine on a trip to Iraq in 2018. The president later recalled that first meeting during remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2019. He claimed that Caine—call sign “Razin” Caine—was insistent that ISIS could be defeated in a week if America committed enough force to the effort. Trump said that Caine then donned a MAGA cap, and said: “I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.” Trump added that he told Caine he was not allowed to do that, “but they did it.”
If the president is telling the truth about this exchange, Caine shouldn’t be in the job. Senior officers, by law and military regulations, must avoid shows of partisan fealty, and such displays should never be the basis for promotion. The story, if true, is a strong indication of Trump’s political motives; Caine’s behavior, in any case, disqualifies him from the job."
This is exactly what Trump wants and what every American should fear: someone who pledges to KILL IN THE NAME OF ONE MAN! But then we knew that. Trump wants generals "like Hitler's generals." Trump said that publicly. He wants a military to do his bidding—even if that includes shooting unarmed civilians or ordering cold-blooded murder. He doesn't want Brown as CJCS, he wants someone more like Goering, von Ribbentrop, or Donitz. Maybe even Himmler?
Trump’s decisions set a dangerous precedent for future administrations. Former CJCS General Mark Milley already knows this. He publicly stated that "We take an oath to the Constitution, not an individual." He appropriately apologized for his role in the infamous Trump and Bible photo op. His reward? A newly empowered Trump has removed his security detail, revoked his security clearances, and in a move that is petty beyond comprehension, had General Milley's CJCS portrait removed from the halls of the Pentagon.
Do we really want every incoming administration to clean house at the Pentagon and ensure that our armed forces are led by politically motivated individuals pledging personal fealty to a person? Almost 250 years of our history would argue otherwise. This is the largest peacetime firing of military leaders in our history. Our military is at its most effective when it is entirely separated from the partisan political machinations of Washington DC. Trump’s actions threaten to forever damage that critical separation.
In the face of this travesty then, what can we do? The tsunami of executive orders signed by Trump, coupled with these firings, tell us that challenging times are ahead. We need to call on remaining senior leaders to either stand up to Trump—and risk being fired for holding to their oaths—or resign in protest. As a retired Air Force brigadier general, I can say clearly that General David Allvin, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is an absolute coward if he does not resign in the face of Trump and Hegseth removing his Vice Chief of Staff. I can only presume they did this without Gen Allvin's consent. If it is WITH his consent, then Allvin is complicit and has already assumed Goering's role within the regime. You can't have it both ways anymore Dave—you're either supporting and defending the Constitution, or you're with Trump. It's time to choose.
Others must step up, too. The remaining members of the JCS need to resign—as should the other service vice chiefs. You can no longer justify your presence by saying that "we need to have adults in the room," or "if I'm not there, then they'll just replace me with some lackey, so I'll stay." But if you stay, you are now that lackey and we all know it.
Others must write and call their congressional delegations and demand Brown's restoration, as well as the others. We need to support our lower ranking members of the military as they face these crises, too. Most are not able to just resign or retire. They have professional and personal commitments. We need to help keep them strong and assure them that we have their backs.
The months to come will be challenging. I expect a wave of Christian Nationalism and viciously brutal proselytization to sweep into the military—all pushed by Hegseth as red meat to the MAGA crazies. I also believe that recruiting and retention will plummet as all those who aren't white, Christian, and male no longer see the military as a viable route to honorable service and a fulfilling career. The damage has been done. It will take years or decades to repair what Trump has done. I stand ready to help all that request assistance, and I'm certain that the MRFF will be there beside me and all that request its assistance.
Keep up the fight!
Marty France, PhD
Brigadier General, USAF (Retired)
MRFF Advisory Board Member
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