As much as I have a warm spot for the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) after 30-plus years of service, I was dismayed to learn of its participation in a ridiculous mission in early June in the District of Columbia to project domination in the streets in early June, as directed, I believe, by our foolhardy president.
The MDNG sent 116 troops to protect national monuments supposedly in jeopardy after protests and illegal vandalism of Confederate and Christopher Columbus monuments in cities throughout the United States. This destruction was shameful.
To show strength, even when provocative and ill -advised, Trump unilaterally decided to request the MDNG to support the DC National Guard and park police in protecting cherished monuments. But our impulsive, vote-seeking president, forgot one important task:
Ask Mayor Bowser if she wanted or needed federal assistance. A rather serious omission.
A Maryland Senate Committee conducted a hearing last week to investigate why the Guard troops went to help its neighbor. Was it necessary? This was the first that I heard about this wayward mission.
Undeniably, the District of Columbia is a federal jurisdiction. It lacks the protection and prerogatives of statehood. Therefore, it is subservient to the president and Congress.
So, the White House and the Pentagon had no legal obligation to seek Mayor Bowser’s opinion or agreement. However, it would have been the decent, collaborative thing to do in a city with a professional police force. Probably sounds old-fashioned.
Back to the mission. It was manufactured by Trump to exhibit muscular control of the streets, to show Democratic mayors like Bowser he had the gumption to protect invaluable monuments.
The president and the Pentagon committed an egregious mistake. Use of the military, whether the active or Guard or Reserve forces, for blatant political purposes demeans the expertise and neutrality of the Armed Forces. We all recall the use of troops to clear peaceful protesters when Trump decided to take a stroll to St. John’s Episcopal Church at Lafayette Square carrying a bible.
Under any threatening circumstances, domestic or foreign, deployment of military forces should happen only after exhaustive deliberation. What shouldn’t take too much thought is the ill-advised, politically motivated use of the uniformed services. A military uniform connotes public service of the highest caliber to respond to domestic terrorism, natural or man-made disasters and foreign combat undertaken for national security purposes.
Not political gambits justified only by a “king of the mountain” mentality.
When the president and the Defense Department requested the National Guard for duty in the District of Columbia, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said no. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said yes. Hogan did say no when the president requested Maryland National Guard units to be sent in June 2019 to the Mexican border to thwart crossings.
An implicit trust must exist between civilian political leaders and top military officers. The former must expect readiness and expertise; the latter must expect sound, reasonable thinking and decision-making. This trust has eroded during the past nearly four years. Trump can only think transactionally, not sensibly and respectfully.
The Maryland National Guard should have stayed home and avoided being political pawns in Washington, DC. Trump misused the Guard. That’s regrettable.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
Sam Tomlin says
thanks very much and thanks very much
Paula Reeder says
Couldn’t agree more Howard. Hopefully, there will not be any future White House requests for MDNG involvement in stupid presidential muscle flexing exercises and, if there are, our Governor will know better than to say yes to committing our Guard to such foolish, intemperate and regretable enterprises.
Sue Ann Zimmerman says
When a person gives up their autonomous thinking process, and commits an obvious crime against people employing their Constitutional rights, at the behest of this fascistic Criminal-in-Chief, they have committed the crime against all Americans, and should be dismissed and charged with assaulting our own citizens. Dismaying? NO, it outrageous! Every so-called “government agent” who has participated in these immoral,illegal operations should be prosecuted, convicted and severely punished. Would they also support tRump if he loses the election, but refuses to leave the White House, just because he gives them an order to surround his “compound” and fire upon the people outside? Each one of them should be prepared to refuse to follow illegal, unconstitutional orders. Put down your weapons and walk away. Your fellow citizens should carry more value and consideration than this wretched lifelong criminal.
Stu Cawley says
While I fully agree with the content of this opinion piece, I’m baffled at why we’re seeing this now. How is this news four months later, & what American was unaware of this outrage at the time it happened, as it dominated all the news media for weeks?
Howard Freedlander says
I was unaware, Stu, of the Maryland National Guard’s participation in protecting DC monuments until learning of the Maryland State Senate’s investigation and hearing last week. Sometimes old news is still relevant.