Free Republic

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley are refusing to testify to the House Armed Services Committee on how the military has responded to police brutality protests around the country, a House aide told the Hill. “Staff was advised that [Department of Defense] leadership has refused to testify next week as requested,” the aide said. “In addition, an informal briefing with the secretary of the Army was cancelled for today.”

There is no more sacred room for military officers than 2E924 of the Pentagon, a windowless and secure vault where the Joint Chiefs of Staff meet regularly to wrestle with classified matters. Its more common name is “the Tank.” The Tank resembles a small corporate boardroom, with a gleaming golden oak table, leather swivel armchairs and other mid-century stylings. Inside its walls, flag officers observe a reverence and decorum for the wrenching decisions that have been made there. Hanging prominently on one of the walls is The Peacemakers, a painting that depicts an 1865 Civil War strategy session with President...

Nearly 90 retired admirals and generals announced in an open letter Tuesday that Donald Trump is the strongest choice for president to lead the nation as commander-in-chief. The letter was organized by Major General Sidney Shachnowa, a 40-year Army veteran and Holocaust survivor, and Rear Admiral Charles Williams. The letter was released ahead of Trump’s campaign event in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is anticipated to deliver a speech on veterans affairs. The high-ranking former officers spelled out their intention to vote for Trump and “urged” fellow Americans to follow suit, emphasizing the need for the next president to take...