Lieutenant General Mark Hertling (Ret.)

Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, a former U.S. Army officer and military law expert, joins to discuss the serious implications of Trump's incendiary comments about Democrats. Hertling emphasizes the military's duty to refuse illegal orders, highlighting the importance of the constitutional oath. The conversation turns to the dangers of political rhetoric, referencing past events like January 6. They also unpack Trump's attempts to distract from pressing issues with extreme claims, while noting the potential consequences of such inflammatory language.

Lieutenant General Mark Hertling (Ret.) brings a wealth of military experience to the discussion, analyzing Donald Trump's unusual speech at Quantico before senior military leaders. Hertling criticizes the tone of the addresses, describing them as 'berating' and 'embarrassing.' He explores the potential dangers of using the military for domestic policing and discusses the implications of Trump's disregard for military norms. The conversation also covers how allies and adversaries perceive this shift, alongside the broader impact on troop morale and national security.

In this insightful discussion, journalist Michael Wolff shares his analysis of Trump's $45 million military parade, critiquing its misguided intent. Foreign policy expert David Rothkopf warns that political events like the Quantico pep rally threaten military readiness. Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling emphasizes the importance of modern training practices over outdated military views. U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin calls for transparency in military oversight. Finally, Major General Paul Eaton critiques civilian-military relations, underlining the need for ethical conduct in the armed forces.