US military ready to carry out lawful orders of next Trump administration, avoid politics: Pentagon chief
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US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told troops that the military will not get involved in politics and is ready to carry out “all lawful orders”.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has told US troops that the Pentagon is committed to an orderly transition to the incoming administration of Donald Trump, and that the military will not get involved in politics and is ready to carry out “all lawful orders”.
Trump was elected president on Nov 5, capping a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House and ushering in a new US leadership likely to test the resilience of democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.
During an interview in October, Trump was asked if he was expecting “chaos” on election day and he appeared to suggest the military could be deployed against citizens who oppose him.
In a memo to US troops that was publicly released on Nov 7, Mr Austin said: “The US military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security.”
America’s friends and foes alike remain wary as they await Trump’s return to office in January, wondering whether his second term will be filled with the kind of turbulence and unpredictability that characterised his first four years.
Critics say that during his 2017-21 administration, Trump openly flouted norms of behaviour in open pursuit of political support among US troops, who are meant to be loyal to the Constitution, not to any party or political movement.
During his campaign, Trump talked about facing an “enemy from within”.
Mr Austin wrote: “As it always has, the US military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next commander-in-chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command.
“You are the United States military – the finest fighting force on Earth – and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution and the rights of all of our citizens,” he added. REUTERS
