Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s recent comments on the possible use of military force against U.S. citizens have reignited a conversation on the boundaries of executive power. His remarks have elicited strong responses from media personalities.
Esper, who was Defense Secretary under Donald Trump, voiced serious reservations about Trump’s hints at using the military against civilians. “I take these comments seriously because I lived it in 2020,” Esper revealed, citing the 2020 efforts to use the National Guard against protestors during instances of civil unrest.
MSNBC host Joy Reid brought Esper’s warnings back into the spotlight during a recent program. She highlighted Esper’s past dealings with Trump, mentioning that the then Defense Secretary had to firmly tell Trump, “No, you cannot have the military shoot American citizens.”
This conversation has unfolded against the backdrop of wider concerns about potential military deployment against American citizens. Retired Major General Randy Manner stated that a sitting president could employ the National Guard “almost in any way that he wants.”
The debate has crossed over from news reportage into corporate media chatter. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, provoked further discussion when he asked about the price of MSNBC following a suggestion by Donald Trump Jr. about possibly buying the network. But experts in the field point out that such a purchase would face major hurdles, as MSNBC is not currently up for sale.
Comcast, the parent company of the network, has plans to separate its cable channels into a newly formed publicly traded company, a process which is expected to take about a year.
Insights from Esper’s memoir, “A Sacred Oath,” offer additional depth to the ongoing conversations. The book, which was vetted by almost 36 4-star generals, high-ranking civilians, and Cabinet members, outlines numerous interactions concerning military deployment considerations.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign has reacted to these discussions, asserting that recent remarks about deploying the National Guard were specifically targeted at those who “seek to undermine democracy.”
As media coverage intensifies, the debate continues to evolve. Reid’s recent program also included warnings about political rifts impacting personal relationships, especially during holiday gatherings.
