I’m going to try to shut down one opponent right away. We should not attempt to hold civilian politicians to the same standards as the military. Yes, yes, I understand. The old timers will immediately bring up the urban legend that during the Clinton Administration, a hundred plus officers were discharged from service due to adultery, and Clinton signed those discharge orders. There has always been the back and forth banter about which President could or could not actually get a security clearance; both former Presidents Clinton and Trump fall into this category. However, for discussion’s sake, looking at former President Trump in the context of Army core values may be of value.
What are the Army Values and why?
The U.S. Army’s seven core values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. These values are at the heart of the Army Profession and guide Soldiers’ behavior in their professional and personal lives.
The Army Values Campaign Plan was launched in 2005 to reemphasize and reinvigorate these values throughout the Army – active and reserve components and Department of the Army Civilians. The Profession of Arms campaign was launched in 2011 to refine the Army’s understanding of what it means to be a profession. The goal of America’s Army- Our Profession is to reaffirm the Army’s understanding of the Army Profession and commitment to upholding the Army ethic.
What does each Army Value mean for a Soldier?
- Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other Soldiers.
- Duty: Fulfill your obligations.
- Respect: Treat people as they should be treated.
- Selfless Service: Put the welfare of the Nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.
- Honor: Live up to all the Army values.
- Integrity: Do what’s right, legally and morally.
- Personal Courage: Face fear, danger, or adversity (physical or moral).
Let’s evaluate the former President
So does the former 45th President live up to these values? President Trump was often accused of being disloyal, disrespectful, and dishonest. For example, he was accused of having an affair with an adult film star while married to his current wife, Melania. He has also been accused of sexual assault by several women. Trump has denied all of these allegations.
Trump has also been criticized for his treatment of the press, calling them “the enemy of the people.” He has also been accused of racism and sexism. So, does Trump live up to the Army values? It’s up for debate.
But yet, his supporters will provide a differing narrative, alternative facts, so to say.
The argument from the Trumpist
We should start with how Trump supporters would rank the former President. President Trump’s supporters would probably rank him high in loyalty and personal courage. They would argue that he was always loyal to his base and dared to take on the establishment. They would also argue that President Trump was a very effective leader and showed great international leadership. They would say that he got things done and made America great again. They would argue it’s easy to forget that Donald Trump was a businessman before he became president. As a businessman, Trump employed many of the same values as the military. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selflessness, and Integrity are all core values in both realms. So what would happen if we applied the Army Values to Trump’s time as president? Let’s take a look.
Loyalty- Throughout his entire campaign, Trump never wavered from his slogan “Make America Great Again.” He was committed to this message and never wavered from it, even when things got tough.
“Loyalty is extremely important to me. My family and close friends will say that I am loyal to a fault.” Donald Trump
Duty- As president, one of Trump’s main duties was representing the United States on the world stage. He strengthened relationships with other countries while standing up for America’s interests.
Respect- Even though he had different opinions than many people, Trump always showed respect for those who disagreed with him. He never stooped down to their level and always maintained civility.
Selflessness- Despite being rich before becoming president, Trump gave up a lot to enter politics. He could have continued making money but instead decided to serve his country.
Integrity- During his campaign and presidency, Trump never lied or tried to deceive the American people. He was truthful and upfront about his policies and plans for America.
Based on these five Army Values, it looks like Donald Trump was actually a good president! Here is my counter.
An Officer’s view of the former President
Now it is my turn. I will go through the Army Values and explain how President Trump does not meet the Army standard.
Loyalty- He was not loyal to the Constitution, shown through his repeated attempts to undermine key pillars of our democracy. “True faith and allegiance” in the oath of office were meaningless to the former President. He frequently attacked the free press, judiciary, and other essential institutions. His loyalty was to himself and his own interests.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
Presidental Oath of Office
Duty- He shirked his duty to faithfully execute the laws of the land, choosing instead to push a personal agenda. His conduct on January 6th, in and of itself, constitutes neglect of duty.
“He did not do his job. He didn’t take steps so federal law could be faithfully executed and order restored,”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky
Respect- He consistently disrespected the office of the presidency, the American people, and world leaders. Trump continuously used his position to bully and demean anyone that did not show absolute loyalty to him.
“He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured, OK?” Donald Trump, July 2015 about U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a naval aviator who spent five years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, where he was tortured.
John McCain, military hero and Senate “maverick,” has died at 81
“We will hold him accountable to all of the groups that he is not just disrespecting but denigrating in his speeches and his policy commitments”
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism
Selfless Service- He did not put the welfare of the nation first, instead pursuing policies that benefited himself and his cronies.
“As President, I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor but they wouldn’t let me do it… They said that would be inappropriate,”
Donald Trump on July 23 at the Turning Point USA summit.
Honor- He dishonored the office of the presidency through his actions and words.
“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018. He made this comment to Retired General John Kelly whose son had been killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.
The Atlantic, Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’, Jeffrey Goldberg
Integrity- He was dishonest, unethical, and corrupt.
Personal Courage- He was a coward, refusing to take responsibility for his actions and hiding behind Twitter instead of engaging in open dialogue.
Army Values are the foundation of what it means to be an Army officer. They provide a moral compass to guide our decision-making. President Trump violated each and every one of these values, and as a result, he was a disgrace to the Presidency.
Is using the Army Values is an effective way to critique a civilian politician?
Using the Army Values as a framework to critique civilian politicians is an effective way of doing so. This is because the Army Values are based on principles that are universal, such as loyalty, respect, and integrity. While individual cases may be open for debate, using the Army Values as a general guideline can help provide a clear overview of how a politician measures up against these values. In the case of President Trump, it is clear that he failed to live up to these values in his time as president. As a result, he was a disgrace to the office and an embarrassment to the country.
Have you served in uniform and continue to support the former President? If so, how am I wrong?
If you enjoyed this post, check out Why I can no longer consider myself a Republican.
