On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Trump's plan for the military to serve his political agenda
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Oct 9, 2025 
Colonel Larry Wilkerson, a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Colonel Douglas McGregor, a combat veteran and adviser in the Trump administration, dissect President Trump's politicized vision for the military. They explore concerns over using the armed forces against political opponents, discuss constitutional limits on domestic deployments, and delve into the ramifications of changing military roles. The conversation reveals deep unease within the military community about politicization, while highlighting the complex balance of force posture and legal principles.
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Military Reframed As Domestic Enforcer
- President Trump cast domestic political opponents and Democrat-led cities as an internal enemy the military should confront.
- That framing reframes the military's purpose from foreign defense to domestic political enforcement.
Senior Officers' Silence Troubling
- Colonel Larry Wilkerson described the Quantico speeches as bizarre and alarming to career officers.
- He highlighted worry about politicization and the silence of senior officers in the audience.
Case For Returning Forces Home
- Colonel Douglas MacGregor argued for re-posturing U.S. forces back to homeland and hemispheric defense.
- He said overseas deployments drain capability and the military should prioritize continental defense.