LANSING, Mich. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin has sharply criticized the recent firings of senior military leaders under the Trump administration, calling the actions politically motivated and detrimental to the integrity of the American military.
In a post shared on Facebook, Slotkin, a former CIA officer, expressed deep concern over the dismissals of several high-ranking officers, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., who was ousted alongside other key figures in the military. The Michigan Democrat highlighted the long-standing tradition of keeping the military separate from political influence, a principle she believes has been eroded by the current administration.
“The purge of senior officers who have served with distinction on the battlefield and off should send a shiver down the spine of any American who cares about an apolitical military,” Slotkin wrote. “For most of our history, leaders from both parties have largely kept their political activities separate from how they handle the military. But not this president and not this SecDef.”
The senator’s remarks underscore a broader concern regarding the Trump administration’s handling of military leadership. Slotkin argues that such actions are a dangerous precedent, suggesting that political retribution against military leaders compromises the safety and security of the nation.
“No matter how they try and spin it, they have brought their political retribution to the very warfighters they claim to care about. And we are no safer for it,” Slotkin added.
The comments reflect broader criticism from several lawmakers, both Republican and Democratic, who have raised alarms about the politicization of the military under Trump’s leadership. Slotkin, in particular, has been outspoken on issues relating to national security and the role of the military in safeguarding democracy.
While the administration has defended the firings as part of routine leadership changes, Slotkin and others warn that such decisions could have far-reaching consequences for the military’s credibility and its ability to function independently of political agendas.
As debates continue to unfold regarding the firings and their implications, Senator Slotkin’s response serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between politics and military leadership in the United States.
