Three retired Generals have come forward claiming that the United States military could fall victim to a military coup in 2024.
NPR reported, The generals – Paul Eaton, Antonio Taguba, and Steven Anderson – made their case in a recent Washington Post Op-Ed. “In short: We are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time,” they wrote.
The generals seemed to claim that a situation could arise where the military fails to recognize who the duly elected President of the United States is. Last year, 124 retired Generals and Admirals signed a letter that contested the 2020 election.
The Generals, Eaton, Taguba, and Anderson claim that they believe the probability of such a coup is low, but wielding a high impact. “It’s an eventuality that we need to prepare for.”
When asked if the current Pentagon could handle such a situation Eaton said, “I’m a huge fan of Secretary (Loyd) Austin, a huge fan of the team that he has put together and the uniformed military under General Milley. They’re just superb. And I am confident that the best men and women in the U.S. and in our military will be outstanding. I just don’t want the doubt that has compromised or infected the greater population of the United States to infect our military.”
Immediately some doubt is sown. How could anyone be a “fan” of a military leadership structure responsible for one of the dire military failures in recent history?
The Afghanistan withdrawal resulted in the avoidable deaths of 13 U.S. service members and countless Afghan civilians. Then, hours later an airstrike approved by Joe Biden and launched by the military under his watch killed 7 civilian children under the age of ten years old, and 3 adults. The strike killed a whopping total of 0 terrorists despite claims from the administration after the attack was sprung.
Now, due to the Taliban taking over more than 1 million Afghan children are set to starve under their new regime.
The generals also seem to premise their claim as “another” coup as if there had already been one. The January 6th riot was not in any way shape or form a “coup”.
The riot was entirely unorganized and while laws were broken, consisted of men and women breaking into the Capitol, walking around, and sitting at the desks of various Representatives.
There did not appear to be any plan or goal in mind. The attack was not orchestrated by former President Donald J. Trump. In fact, just prior to the protestors arriving at the Capitol, Trump warned them to “peacefully and patriotically make their voices heard.
Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr. had for months praised their supporters at rallies for remaining peaceful during marches and protests.
Officers were assaulted, and crimes were committed but at the end of the day, there was no reality where the government could have been successfully overthrown and only one person died – a protestor who was shot by Capitol police.
It’s also worth noting that more than 90% of every person at the Capitol on January 6th was completely peaceful with no intention of breaking in. The rioters were a small splinter group of far-right activists who ignored Trump’s calls for peaceful assembly.