Bulwark Takes Why is the Trump Admin Purging Our Military’s Best? (w/ Mark Hertling)
Oct 30, 2025
Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling joins Bill Kristol to unpack the unsettling trends within the military under the Trump administration. They delve into the troubling forced retirements of high-ranking officers and the strategic implications for NATO and U.S. alliances. Hertling offers insight into the redeployment of forces toward Venezuela, raises concerns about inexperienced leadership in naval research, and discusses the legal risks of military actions, highlighting the importance of maintaining professionalism and accountability in the ranks.
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Top Officer Forced Out Despite Distinguished Service
- Mark Hertling recalled Lt. Gen. McGee as one of his top battalion commanders in Iraq and a likely future four-star leader.
- He emphasized McGee's rapid rise and unexpected forced retirement despite distinguished service.
Disagreement Is Not Disrespect
- Hertling argued many senior officers were removed for disagreeing with current policy rather than wrongdoing.
- He stressed that in the military, disagreement should not equal disrespect and is part of professional courage.
Don't Become A One‑Trick Pony
- Hertling warned against making the U.S. a 'one-trick pony' by over-focusing on select threats like Venezuela.
- He argued strategic flexibility and alliances across Europe, Middle East, and Indo‑Pacific remain essential.
