The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Civil-Military Relations in the Trump Administration
Jul 2, 2025
Lindsay Cohn, an Associate Professor at the Naval War College and Columbia University, dives into the intricate world of civil-military relations during the Trump administration. She discusses the fallout from the unprecedented firings of senior military officials and the implications of prioritizing political loyalty. The conversation also explores the controversial use of military parades and involvement in civilian contexts, raising questions about public perception. Lastly, Cohn highlights military influence in elections, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a representative military aligned with democratic values.
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Unprecedented Firings in Military Leadership
- The Trump administration fired senior military leaders mainly due to their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
- This practice is unprecedented and signals troubling civil-military relations regarding loyalty tests over merit.
Loyalty Test Undermines Military Meritocracy
- The administration applied a loyalty test by purging top military ranks and seeking replacements aligned politically.
- Such 'stacking' erodes meritocracy and trust, resembling autocratic coup proofing rather than democratic norms.
Loyalty Tests Harm Military Effectiveness
- Loyalty-based appointments lead to promoting less qualified individuals, damaging military effectiveness.
- Pressure to avoid bad news and questioning policies harms strategic planning and morale.