US in “Enormous Peril” if “Mafia-Like” Trump Re-Elected: Decorated General McCaffrey Issues Grave Warning About America’s Future

Jo ShawOct 31, 2023

Minute Read

In an interview on MSNBC’s “Deadline: White House” with Nicolle Wallace, retired four-star general Barry McCaffrey gravely warned of the consequences if Trump is to be re-elected into the White House, stating that the US would face “enormous peril.”

Most Decorated Four-Star General

At the time of his retirement from the military in 1996, General Barry McCaffrey was the youngest, most highly decorated four-star general in the US military. In his interview with MSNBC’s Wallace, he discussed in length the former president’s actions while in office and an article published by The Atlantic that highlighted the interference that Trump had exerted over the Military Justice System during his time as president.

“We Could Be In Trouble”

McCaffrey raised his concerns over the next presidential election during the interview. “The next time around, if you decapitate the institutions — the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security — and put loyalists without a sense of respect for the law in there, we could be in trouble,” he warned.

A Civilized Nation That Descended Into Autocracy

McCaffrey continued, “There’s always an assumption — that couldn’t happen here. The 1930’s Germany was a civilized nation that descended into autocracy, so we better worry about it.”

Trump “A Danger to the Republic”

McCaffrey then issued a stark warning regarding the former president. “Trump is a leading contender and this is not a political statement — he’s entirely unqualified to be the commander-in-chief. He’s a danger to the republic and that’s where we stand,” he said.

Mark Milley Protected the Constitution

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Wallace had recently interviewed the retired four-star general, referring to an article published by The Atlantic in September. The article was written by Jeffrey Goldberg and was titled “How General Mark Milley Protected the Constitution From Donald Trump.”

Trump Was Exceptionally Unfit to Serve

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Goldberg’s article read in the beginning, “But the first 16 months of Milley’s term, a period that ended when Joe Biden succeeded Donald Trump as president, were not normal because Trump was exceptionally unfit to serve.”

General Milley Confronted With “Unique Challenge”

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Goldberg then quoted another general – Dubik, “’For more than 200 years, the assumption in this country was that we would have a stable person as president,’ one of Milley’s mentors, the retired three-star General James Dubik, told me. This assumption did not hold true during the Trump administration, [which] presented a ‘unique challenge’ for Milley, Dubik said.”

Trump Intervened With Military Justice Cases

Wallace quoted an excerpt from The Atlantic’s article in the MSNBC interview. Wallace read from the article, “In November 2019, Trump decided to intervene in three different cases that have been working their way through the Military Justice System.”

Navy SEAL Posed With Corpse

“In the most infamous case, Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher has been found guilty of posing with the corpse of an Islamic State prisoner. Though Gallagher was found not guilty of murder, witnesses testified that he’d stabbed the prisoner in the neck with a hunting knife,” she continued to quote from The Atlantic’s article.

Trump Reversed Navy’s Punishment

“In an extraordinary move, Trump reversed the Navy’s decision to demote him in rank. Late one night on Air Force One, Milley tried to convince Trump that his intrusion was damaging Navy morale.”

Trump Called Navy SEAL “A Hero”

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“Trump called Gallagher a hero and said he didn’t understand why he was being punished,” Wallace continued to read. “Quote Milley, ‘Because he slit the throat of a wounded prisoner.’ Quote, ‘The guy was going to die anyway,’ Trump said.” Wallace continued to read from the article.

“It’s a War Crime”

“Miley answered. Quote, ‘Mr. President, we have military ethics and laws about what happens in battle. We can’t do that kind of thing. It’s a war crime.’ Trump answered that he didn’t understand the big deal,” read Wallace.

Combat Soldiers Are “Just Killers”

She went on, “Quote, ‘You guys, meaning combat soldiers, are all just killers. What’s the difference?’ End quote,” as she read out what Trump had reportedly said to General Milley during their exchange.

There Are “No Words”

Upon reading the article, Wallace said she had “no words” and asked for McCaffrey’s thoughts. “Again, General McCaffrey, I have no words. I’m eager to hear yours.”

President Gives a Lawful Order

The retired general responded that, certainly, Trump is aware “that there’s only two people who can give a lawful order to the armed forces. They’re both civilians. One’s the commander-in-chief, the president in that function, and the other is the Secretary of Defense.”

Service Chiefs Are Advisers Only

“The Chairman of the JCS has zero command authority, nor do the Service Chiefs. They’re advisers.” McCaffrey continued to explain that they were simply advisers to the president, the vice president, and the National Security Council.

Trump “A Mafia-Like Figure”

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McCaffrey continued to make his point, “So when we end up with a president like Trump, who is essentially a mafia-like figure in his understanding of the use of military power… or, for that matter, domestic law enforcement.”

We’re in “Enormous Peril”

“… who lacks character, who is installed in office, and acting secretary of defense, and his gang of cohorts whom he has reason to believe will follow his orders… then we’re in enormous peril.” McCaffrey issued his warning should Trump regain power over the US military.

Milley, an Officer of Integrity

In response to General Milley’s actions during the Trump administration, McCaffrey added, “General Mark Milley was an officer of integrity, beautifully educated, and sensitive to the rule of law. He was uniquely qualified to play this role. You can’t push him around.”

Putin Incentivized by Trump

McCaffrey has also warned of Trump’s influence over other world leaders, stating, “Putin certainly has been incentivized by Trump’s behavior and the MAGA Republicans in the House. To think all you’ve got to do is continue savaging the civilian population in Ukraine until the next election and maybe he wins.”