Pentagon fears Trump will order military to put down post-election violence, report claims

Pentagon brass are worried Mr Trump would use American military troops on American citizens should protests turn violent if he loses and tries to remain in office, according to the New York Times.

Some top Pentagon officials have privately discussed stepping down if Mr Trump gives such an order. In June, Attorney General William Barr ordered federal police to use pepper balls and tear gas on protesters in Washington; federal law enforcement also has been deployed to Portland, where they clashed with protesters.

Only that civilian and uniformed officials cannot stop a president from doing anything. They either get fired or would have to quit if they felt uncomfortable with the boss’s orders.

That means Mr Trump would simply go down each agency’s chain of command, firing anyone who refused, until he found an official to assume control of that department or military branch on an acting basis who would give such orders

Navy Vet

Article URL : https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/donald-trump-election-military-pentagon-riots-protests-william-barr-b598971.html