Even if you think it, you shouldn’t say it, but it’s also wrong on the substance. I know the president says things for effect, a lot, but to have a commander in chief question the motivations of military leaders, and basically say they’re in it for themselves, is wrong and it gives our adversaries an opening. And as a matter of fact, I’ve been a little dismayed at what’s happened the past few days. Is it right for a commander-in-chief to say and do these kinds of things? He accused military leaders in his own administration of waging wars to boost the profits of defense firms.
We saw him call for a highly respected Fox News reporter to be fired for corroborating those reports ― an attack on the first amendment, some might say. Recent days have brought multiple reports that the president disparaged wounded and fallen troops. This interview was edited for length and clarity.
He spoke with Joe Gould at the Defense News Conference on Sept. Thornberry was chairman of the committee from 2015 to 2019 and is retiring at the end of his term this year.
