Trump-Fired General Warns Against Politicizing Military

Source: Newsweek

Published Jul 03, 2026 at 06:00 PM EDT updated Jul 04, 2026 at 10:41 AM EDT


Retired General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who was fired by President Donald Trump last year, issued a warning about the growing use of the U.S. military in politically charged domestic debates, arguing that asking the armed forces to solve civilian problems risks undermining the institution.

Brown's warning came in a Foreign Affairs essay published Friday, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary celebrations. His column, co-authored with Duke University political scientist Peter Feaver and attorney Andrew Kragie, reflects on the relationship between the military and civilian government from the nation's founding through the present day.

The essay warns against expanding the military's role in politically contentious domestic missions. While Brown and his co-authors do not cite a specific example, they point to the prospect of using troops to address crime in cities as the kind of responsibility they argue is better handled by civilian institutions.

The authors added a stark warning: "If you ask too much of the military, you risk the entire enterprise."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-fired-general-politicizing-military-12156780