If I were him, my answer would be it’s up to the military commanders to decide what the policy should be to create the best military effectiveness and he will support their decision. I thought we had agreed that the military knew how to run itself better than civilians in Washington D.C. It’s a good political answer, because it punts the decision to the military. But I think it’s the right answer too. Conservative principles dictate that you let decisions be made at the local level or the people closest to knowing the ground truth of the situation.
Even if it’s true that the commanders told him they don’t want the policy reversed, he shouldn’t go all the way out on the limb to say “it’s done” for good. There hasn’t been enough time to evaluate how the change in policy has affected military readiness, for one thing.
Exactly. You nailed it.
Military commanders aren’t making the decision - politicized generals are.