Defense Secretary Warns Commanders Not to Surprise Trump on Coronavirus

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/02/us/politics/esper-trump-military-coronavirus.html

Mark T. Esper directed overseas officers not to run afoul of the White House’s messaging and asked them to clear decisions on protecting their troops.

By Eric Schmitt and Helene Cooper
March 2, 2020

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper has urged American military commanders overseas not to make any decisions related to the coronavirus that might surprise the White House or run afoul of President Trump’s messaging on the growing health challenge, American officials said.

Mr. Esper’s directive, delivered last week during a video teleconference call with combatant commanders around the world, is the latest iteration of Mr. Trump’s efforts to manage public fears over the disease, even as it continues to spread around the world.

Mr. Trump has said Democrats and the news media are stoking fear about the disease, even calling their concerns a “hoax” during one rally last week.

The president has since tempered his words.

Mr. Esper told commanders deployed overseas that they should check in before making decisions related to protecting their troops.

</snip>

Are you fucking kidding me?

[tanyev]

1. Because protecting Donny's fragile ego is more important than protecting the troops or the country.

[bullwinkle428]

2. We are so fucked.

[pwb]

3. Yea? check in with the dumb fuck before looking out for the welfare of your troops.

Esper's loyalty pledge to Trump is in plain view.

[mbusby]

4. Welp....

[yonder]

5. "....or run afoul of President Trump's messaging"

Flopping about like a carp on the bank is not messaging.

[smb]

6. Any Officer Who Puts The Manchild-In-Chief's Ego Ahead Of His Troops' Safety...

...should be frog-marched out to have his medals and insignia torn off and stomped into the mud, after which he should be kicked in the ass so that he lands face-first in said mud.

[central scrutinizer]

8. Like this

[link:http://

|

[C_U_L8R]

7. Fuck that

Abide by your oath to the Constitution and duty to the American people. Regardless of the consequences.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. Hard as it may be

Trump doesn't like looking stupid.