Trump’s Rally-Style Speech At Fort Bragg Spurs Controversy Over Politicization Of The Military

President Donald Trump delivered a politically charged address Tuesday during a rally marking the Army’s 250th anniversary, drawing cheers and support from the crowd of soldiers gathered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

During the speech, the president made a series of statements that attacked his political opposition, condemned the media and denounced protestors in Los Angeles, referring to them as “animals.”

In response, soldiers yelled in support of Trump and booed former President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-California).

Trump’s speech has spurred concerns about Trump’s alleged politicization of the military.

Presidents have long used the military as political props to garner support, but explicit expressions of partisanship are frowned upon.

According to the Army’s field manual, troops are allowed to participate in political functions, but not while on duty or in uniform. “The Army, as an institution, must be nonpartisan and appear so, too,” according to the manual.

“This has been a bad week for the Army for anyone who cares about us being a neutral institution,” said one of the commanders at Fort Bragg. “This was shameful. I don’t expect anything to come out of it, but I hope maybe we can learn from it long term.”

In a statement regarding the matter, the Pentagon said that there had been no violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ.

Trump’s speech comes at a time when he has relied on the military for domestic purposes.

The president recently deployed troops from the National Guard and the Marines to curb the protests in Los Angeles over recent ICE raids and arrests, despite objections from Newsom.

“We will not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy. That’s what they are,” said Trump during his speech.

By deploying troops, Trump declared he would “liberate” the city.