Military to Get Involved in Election Fight? Living Defense Secretaries Say No

With Inauguration Day rapidly approaching on Jan. 20, all 10 of America’s living former defense secretaries are taking a stand regarding any potential involvement of U.S. military forces in determining the final outcome of the presidential race. And they’re all urging against joining the fight.

“Each of us swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We did not swear it to an individual or a party,” wrote Mark Esper, James Mattis, Ash Carter, Chuck Hagel, Leon Panetta, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Robert Gates, William Perry and Donald Rumsfeld in a joint op-ed published Sunday in the Washington Post.

“Efforts to involve the U.S. armed forces in resolving election disputes would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory,” they stated.

“Civilian and military officials who direct or carry out such measures would be accountable, including potentially facing criminal penalties, for the grave consequences of their actions on our republic.” . . .

“Our elections have occurred. Recounts and audits have been conducted. Appropriate challenges have been addressed by the courts. Governors have certified the results. And the electoral college has voted. The time for questioning the results has passed; the time for the formal counting of the electoral college votes, as prescribed in the Constitution and statute, has arrived.” (Read more from “Military to Get Involved in Election Fight? Living Defense Secretaries Say No” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE