The Powers That Be: Daily The War Within
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Oct 9, 2025 Julia Yaffe, a reporter and commentator for Puck specializing in national security and politics, dives into the implications of military troop deployments in U.S. cities. She reveals that many military officers grapple with the balance between following orders and their concerns about political motivations. The discussion highlights the complexities of trust between troops and civilians, legal ambiguities in deployment orders, and the effects of government shutdowns on military morale. Yaffe also touches on how political theater shapes local responses and military perceptions.
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L.A. Deployments Inflamed Tensions
- Julia Yaffe recalls National Guard and Marines in LA during summer ICE raids standing by federal facilities.
- She describes how their limited role inflamed tensions without addressing protests directly.
Duty Versus Legality
- Military personnel say their duty is to follow lawful orders and disobey unlawful ones, creating confusion when legality is contested.
- Julia Yaffe reports many expect courts to back the administration, leaving the military feeling obliged to comply.
Credibility At Home Is At Risk
- Officers worry deploying troops for political theater will erode public trust in the military at home.
- Julia Yaffe notes this could mean the military loses credibility when it later needs public support for real missions.