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The Former President's Push to Inject Politics Into American Armed Forces ‘Reminiscent of Soviet Purges, Cautions Top Officer
Donald Trump and his Pentagon chief his appointed defense secretary are engaged in an aggressive push to politicise the top ranks of the US military – a move that is evocative of Stalinism and could need decades to rectify, a former senior army officer has warned.
Maj Gen Paul Eaton has raised profound concerns, stating that the effort to subordinate the senior command of the military to the executive's political agenda was without precedent in modern times and could have severe future repercussions. He noted that both the credibility and capability of the world’s preeminent military was under threat.
“Once you infect the body, the solution may be exceptionally hard and damaging for presidents in the future.”
He continued that the decisions of the current leadership were jeopardizing the standing of the military as an independent entity, free from party politics, at risk. “To use an old adage, reputation is established a drop at a time and emptied in buckets.”
A Life in Uniform
Eaton, 75, has dedicated his lifetime to defense matters, including nearly forty years in the army. His parent was an air force pilot whose B-57 bomber was lost over Laos in 1969.
Eaton himself graduated from the US Military Academy, earning his commission soon after the end of the Vietnam conflict. He climbed the ladder to become a senior commander and was later assigned to Iraq to train the local military.
Predictions and Current Events
In the past few years, Eaton has been a consistent commentator of perceived manipulation of defense institutions. In 2024 he was involved in tabletop exercises that sought to predict potential authoritarian moves should a a particular figure return to the presidency.
Many of the actions envisioned in those drills – including partisan influence of the military and sending of the state militias into certain cities – have already come to pass.
A Leadership Overhaul
In Eaton’s analysis, a opening gambit towards undermining military independence was the installation of a political ally as secretary of defense. “He not only swears loyalty to the president, he declares personal allegiance – whereas the military swears an oath to the rule of law,” Eaton said.
Soon after, a succession of firings began. The independent oversight official was removed, followed by the top military lawyers. Out, too, went the service chiefs.
This leadership shake-up sent a direct and intimidating message that reverberated throughout the armed forces, Eaton said. “Fall in line, or we will fire you. You’re in a different world now.”
An Ominous Comparison
The removals also created uncertainty throughout the ranks. Eaton said the effect drew parallels to Joseph Stalin’s 1940s purges of the top officers in the Red Army.
“The Soviet leader killed a lot of the most capable of the military leadership, and then placed party loyalists into the units. The fear that gripped the armed forces of the Soviet Union is comparable with today – they are not executing these individuals, but they are ousting them from leadership roles with similar impact.”
The end result, Eaton said, was that “you’ve got a 1940s Stalin problem inside the American military right now.”
Rules of Engagement
The controversy over armed engagements in international waters is, for Eaton, a indication of the erosion that is being inflicted. The administration has claimed the strikes target “narco-terrorists”.
One particular strike has been the subject of ethical questions. Media reports revealed that an order was given to “kill everybody.” Under established military doctrine, it is forbidden to order that every combatant must be killed regardless of whether they are combatants.
Eaton has expressed certainty about the illegality of this action. “It was either a grave breach or a murder. So we have a serious issue here. This decision looks a whole lot like a WWII submarine captain firing upon victims in the water.”
Domestic Deployment
Looking ahead, Eaton is deeply worried that violations of engagement protocols overseas might soon become a possibility domestically. The administration has nationalized national guard troops and sent them into several jurisdictions.
The presence of these troops in major cities has been challenged in federal courts, where legal battles continue.
Eaton’s biggest fear is a violent incident between federalised forces and state and local police. He painted a picture of a imaginary scenario where one state's guard is federalised and sent into another state against its will.
“What could go wrong?” Eaton said. “You can very easily see an increase in tensions in which all involved think they are acting legally.”
At some point, he warned, a “memorable event” was likely to take place. “There are going to be civilians or troops harmed who really don’t need to get hurt.”
Ashley Carter
Elara is a seasoned writer and digital nomad who shares her adventures and expertise in lifestyle and technology.
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