Posted on 01/13/2017 1:57:31 PM PST by blam
Tyler Durden
January 13, 2017
"
It doesn’t make sense to can the general in the middle of an active deployment," rages D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) after Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, who heads the D.C. National Guard and is an integral part of overseeing the inauguration, has been ordered removed from command effective Jan. 20, 12:01 p.m., just as Donald Trump is sworn in as president.
As The Washington Post reports, Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz’s departure will come in the midst of the presidential ceremony, classified as a national special security event — and while thousands of his troops are deployed to help protect the nation’s capital during an inauguration he has spent months helping to plan.
“The timing is extremely unusual,” Schwartz said in an interview Friday morning, confirming a memo announcing his ouster that was obtained by The Washington Post.
During the inauguration, Schwartz would command not only the members of the D.C. guard but also an additional 5,000 unarmed troops sent in from across the country to help. He also would oversee military air support protecting the nation’s capital during the inauguration.
“My troops will be on the street,” Schwartz, who turned 65 in October, said, “I’ll see them off but I won’t be able to welcome them back to the armory.” He said that he would “never plan to leave a mission in the middle of a battle.”
Schwartz, who was appointed to head the guard by President George W. Bush in 2008, maintained the position through President Obama’s two terms. He said his orders came from the Pentagon but that he doesn’t know who made the decision.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) blasted the decision to remove Schwartz, especially on Inauguration Day.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
The only one with the power is His Arrogance .... trying to throw another turd into the punch bowl?
He didn’t keep Seth Rich alive to see the Democrat Convention open in D. C. Highly suspect in my book.
The leader is being removed THE MINUTE Trump takes office, a democrat is speaking how “terrible” this is?
Sounds like he’s been told by Trump his gig is up, and someone is trying to make a thing of this?
Maybe not. I don’t know anything about military issues, but that sure is unusual from a timing standpoint.
The Trumpster is doing everything right.
Better make certain the Praetorian Guard is commanded by a loyalist.
Fake media blaming this on Trump and spreading it as fake news that Trump hates black generals
Trump can notify the State Department that he plans to relieve every politically appointed ambassador on January 20th (giving them a 30 day courtesy heads up)
But he does not have the authority to issue military reassignment or retirement orders
A Commander would not be relieved from command at the outset of a military security operation without serious cause
Seems like it was brought up as an aside on a thread with a different topic.
My memory is drawing a blank (again) and it's drivin' me nuts !
Schwartz was appointed by Bush in 2008. He said his orders came from the Pentagon but that he doesn’t know who made the decision.
From the article: Unlike in states, where the governor appoints the National Guard commander, in the District that duty falls to the president.
On the other thread on this topic, sentiment seems to be running about 2-1 in favor of the idea that this was Trump’s call, part of his promise to “drain the swamp.” The minority view (which is my view) is that this order came from Obama, and was a petulant move to weaken security at a critical moment.
This is a non-story. Because he is the commander of the national guard of DC, he is not appointed by a governor. He is a appointed by the CINC. He was originally appointed by Bush. It is customary for the DC NG commander to submit a letter of resignation every election cycle. The incoming CINC can choose to except the resignation or reappointed. Trump chose to accept his resignation.
The guy is 65. BTW.
I agree, it has Obama written all over it. Perhaps Trump said he intends to swap the commander, but I would bet it was Obama that dropped the 12:01 bomb just to be pissy.
This is another bullsh!t delegitimization attempt by that jugeared boy @ 1600.
This termination could not come from PE Trump...He, even though elected, is STILL private citizen Trump...This order had to come from Obama admin...Another attempt to make Trump look bad and maybe cause more disturbances...
This is clearly an act of sabotage by Obama. Trump can reappoint him immediately.
Very strange. Per the story, Schwartz turned 65 in October. He's held the position for eight years (too long; he should have retired several years ago). One would think someone would quietly tell him it's time to go, and let him gracefully retire. Or if he's done something really bad, sack him now and roll on. It makes no sense to give a retirement-ready, long-service chief a public humiliation and yet leave him in place for a week.
“Commanding General of D.C. National Guard to be removed from post (at 12:01pm Jan 20th)”
I’m in agreement with you.
Maybe he had a bet on the Preakness....
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