Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth, a veteran of the Iraq War, warned that GOP President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are sliding the country towards a military dictatorship.
Duckworth, an incoming senator, told David Axeldrod on “The Axe Files” podcast that filling key positions with retired generals is a “real danger” and said Washington should avoid traveling down that path to a military junta, that is, a military dictatorship, CNN reports.
“We’re the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, and the greatest democracy, because we’re not a military junta,” Duckworth said. “So we shouldn’t be starting on that slippery slope towards it.”
Trump has taken a liking to military officers, stacking his cabinet full of former military officials like retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, and just on Monday, former Army infantry officer Vincent Viola for the position of secretary of the Army.
Duckworth isn’t the first Democrat to raise concerns about Trump bringing a sizable number of retired military officers into his administration.
“Frankly, I’m concerned by the number of generals President-elect Trump has chosen to serve in his administration,” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told The Hill recently. “Each of these individuals have great merit in their own right. But as we’ve learned over the years, particularly in the past two decades, viewing problems in the world primarily through a military lens can be disastrous.”
Duckworth, who retired from the Army reserves in 2014 as a lieutenant colonel, wants Congress to conduct in-depth hearings for the nominations, but said she’ll personally assess cabinet picks based on whether or not they’re qualified.
“If they’re qualified to do the job, they’re qualified to do the job … even if I disagree with their philosophy,” Duckworth said.
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