Since his last address to West Point cadets in 2020, President Trump's relationship with the military has undergone significant change, with diminished opposition from military leaders. The dramatic conflicts of 2020, which included the resignation of Defense Secretary Mark Esper and critiques from former officials like General Mattis, contrast sharply with the president's ongoing engagement with the Pentagon. His current focus on loyalty over experience in appointing civilian leaders reflects an alignment that appears to unite the military under his administration while leaving behind the controversies of the past.
Trump, who denied suggesting that protesters be shot, fired Esper five months later.
That now feels like a different era.
In selecting civilian leaders at the Pentagon, the president has prioritized perceived loyalty rather than experience.
Trump’s impulse to enlist the military to respond to nationwide protests generated an outcry from some retired officers.
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