Ex-Pentagon Chiefs Say Military Must Stay Out Of US Election

All 10 living former US defense secretaries, including two
Donald Trump appointees, warned Sunday against involving the
military in the US presidential transition

In an essay published in The Washington Post, Ashton Carter,
Leon Panetta, William Perry, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Robert
Gates, Chuck Hagel, James Mattis and Mark Esper urged the Pentagon
to commit to a peaceful transition of power.

“Efforts to involve the US armed forces in resolving election
disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and
unconstitutional territory,” they said, adding that officials who
sought to do so could face serious professional and criminal
consequences.

Referring to the election process and peaceful transfers of
power as “hallmarks of our democracy,” the secretaries noted that
other than Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 that ultimately led
to the pro-slavery South seceding and the US Civil War, the country
has had an unbroken record of peaceful transitions.

“This year should be no exception,” they wrote.

The secretaries, who come from both US political parties with
Esper and Mattis both appointed by Trump, pointed out that all
legal challenges to the presidential election results had been
dismissed by the courts, and the votes certified by state
governors.

It is time to formally certify the Electoral College votes, they
said.

They also called on acting defense secretary Christopher Miller
and all defense department officials to facilitate the transition
for President-elect Joe Biden’s administration “fully,
cooperatively and transparently.”

“They must also refrain from any political actions that
undermine the results of the election or hinder the success of the
new team,” the essay said.

Trump, who is refusing to acknowledge his election loss to
Biden, until recently held back from allowing government agencies
to cooperate with Biden’s team, as is the custom.

In late December, Biden said that political appointees at the
Pentagon, which Trump has packed with loyalists since the election,
have refused to provide a “clear picture” on troop posture or
budgeting.

“It is nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility,” Biden
said in Wilmington, Delaware, warning that US adversaries could
take advantage of the transition.

All 10 living former US defense secretaries, including two
Donald Trump appointees, warned Sunday against involving the
military in the US presidential transition

In an essay published in The Washington Post, Ashton Carter,
Leon Panetta, William Perry, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Robert
Gates, Chuck Hagel, James Mattis and Mark Esper urged the Pentagon
to commit to a peaceful transition of power.

“Efforts to involve the US armed forces in resolving election
disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and
unconstitutional territory,” they said, adding that officials who
sought to do so could face serious professional and criminal
consequences.

Referring to the election process and peaceful transfers of
power as “hallmarks of our democracy,” the secretaries noted that
other than Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 that ultimately led
to the pro-slavery South seceding and the US Civil War, the country
has had an unbroken record of peaceful transitions.

“This year should be no exception,” they wrote.

The secretaries, who come from both US political parties with
Esper and Mattis both appointed by Trump, pointed out that all
legal challenges to the presidential election results had been
dismissed by the courts, and the votes certified by state
governors.

It is time to formally certify the Electoral College votes, they
said.

They also called on acting defense secretary Christopher Miller
and all defense department officials to facilitate the transition
for President-elect Joe Biden’s administration “fully,
cooperatively and transparently.”

“They must also refrain from any political actions that
undermine the results of the election or hinder the success of the
new team,” the essay said.

Trump, who is refusing to acknowledge his election loss to
Biden, until recently held back from allowing government agencies
to cooperate with Biden’s team, as is the custom.

In late December, Biden said that political appointees at the
Pentagon, which Trump has packed with loyalists since the election,
have refused to provide a “clear picture” on troop posture or
budgeting.

“It is nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility,” Biden
said in Wilmington, Delaware, warning that US adversaries could
take advantage of the transition.