National Security Leaders for America Statement on Firing of Senior Military Officers
Washington,
DC, February 22, 2025 National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A)
Founder and President, retired Rear Admiral Mike Smith, issued the
following statement regarding the announced firings of several senior
military officers without cause, including the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Air Force Vice Chief of
Staff, and the Judge Advocates General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force:
“National
Security Leaders for America strongly condemns the removal of senior
military officers without just cause. Our military's strength,
effectiveness, and readiness depend on maintaining a professional and
apolitical force. Removing experienced leaders with meritorious records
weakens the force and emboldens America’s enemies.
Our
constitution requires the military to unquestionably follow the lawful
orders of the serving President, irrespective of personal beliefs or the
administration in power. Senior military leadership must implement a
range of policies that inevitably change from one administration to the
next. This purge of senior leadership, however, will force current and
future military leaders to consider whether following a lawful order
today will get them fired by a future president, creating immense
tension in the chain of command.
Worse
yet, the removal of these senior leaders tells everyone in our
military, and everyone who one day wants to serve their country, that
merit and character matter less than partisanship. Politicizing our
military will cripple recruiting, prevent the best soldiers, sailors,
and airmen from rising to leadership, and fray the mutual trust between
the military and the American people that it serves. We urge
policymakers, elected officials, and the American public to reject
efforts to politicize our military. The defense of our great nation
requires military leaders beholden to the Constitution who
unquestionably follow the lawful orders of the President. Undermining
that foundation for political expediency will weaken our military and,
ultimately, our nation.”
National
Security Leaders for America members are available for interviews on
the leadership change. To arrange an interview, please contact Mike
Smith at michael.smith@nsl4a.org.
About National Security Leaders for America
National
Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a bipartisan, pro-democracy
501(c)(4) organization dedicated to protecting the United States’
democratic norms, constitutional freedoms, and the nation’s role as a
global leader promoting peace, prosperity, and security. NSL4A comprises
over 1300 senior national security leaders, including retired admirals,
generals, senior enlisted personnel, former ambassadors, cabinet
members, and senior executive and intelligence service professionals.
Leveraging its members' extensive experience and credibility, NSL4A is
committed to educating policymakers and the public on the intrinsic link
between national security, economic prosperity, and individual
liberties while inspiring collective action to defend American
democracy. For expert commentary on election-related issues and national
security topics, NSL4A offers access to its distinguished members.
Contact us at media.requests@nsl4a.org to request an interview.