US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the military would not enter politics and was prepared to do "all lawful orders" as the Pentagon committed itself to an orderly handover to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
"I totally believe that our leaders will continue to do the right thing no matter what," Austin said at a press conference in Miami.
Though he refused to hazard a guess on what the administration of President Donald Trump might do, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter expressed confidence in the military leadership.
In a memo that he issued to US troops on Wednesday night, and which he made public on Thursday, Austin further wrote, "The US military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our Republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security.".
"I also believe that our Congress will continue to do the right things to support our military."
Trump considered invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops to quell protests in 2020.
Before Trump was set to return to the White House, Austin was asked about the likelihood that the incoming Commander-in-Chief might issue unlawful orders.
"The law is really well defined on what can be done and not be done using active-duty military," Austin said.
"Our leaders are well versed in those laws and we have the world's greatest legal corps to assist us in making sure that we stay on track."
One day after the election, Austin, in a message to the force, wrote that the US military would "obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command".
Austin has made it further clear that the President has the prerogative to choose his military leaders, amid speculation whether or not Trump will fire Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General CQ Brown, who has come under repeated right-wing attack.
These flag officers will be so focused on the mission-and it's to defend this nation, to take care of our people, to succeed by supporting one another," Austin said.
Allies and adversaries alike hold their collective breath as Donald Trump prepares to retake the presidency on January 20, unsure if his second term will be like his first four years in the White House: wildly turbulent and unpredictable.
Critics assert that during his 2017-21 presidency, Trump blatant violated norms of conduct out in the open in the hunt for political patronage among US servicemen and women, who by oath sworn are loyal to the United States Constitution, not any party, political movement, or individual leader.
As if being forewarned about an "enemy from within," Trump lectured about it extensively as he campaigned.
You are the United States military — the finest fighting force on Earth — and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution, and the rights of all of our citizens, Austin added.
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