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Opinion: All 10 living former defense secretaries: Involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory

As published (The Washington Post - January 3, 2021) - Ashton Carter, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Mark Esper, Robert Gates, Chuck Hagel, James Mattis, Leon Panetta, William Perry and Donald Rumsfeld are the 10 living former U.S. secretaries of defense.


As former secretaries of defense, we hold a common view of the solemn obligations of the U.S. armed forces and the Defense Department. Each of us swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We did not swear it to an individual or a party.


American elections and the peaceful transfers of power that result are hallmarks of our democracy. With one singular and tragic exception that cost the lives of more Americans than all of our other wars combined, the United States has had an unbroken record of such transitions since 1789, including in times of partisan strife, war, epidemics and economic depression. This year should be no exception.




CNN Wolf Blitzer Interview

19 Apr, 2024
As I told Wolf Blitzer - Israel sent a clear message today: we can strike the interior of Iran if we want and have the will to do so. Last week’s defeat of Iran’s missile strikes was defense; today was deterrence. It’s overdue for the West to unite and compel better behavior from Iran or the cycle continues. Watch the Interview Here.

Conversations with Bill Kristol

17 Apr, 2024
Bill Kristol and I discuss the state of the world. Watch the Interview Here.

Christiane Amanpour Interview

16 Apr, 2024
“Nobody wants a wider regional war. But we arguably are on the precipice of that right now. This could get very big, very quickly,” I said to Christiane Amanpour while I criticized the Biden administration's response, arguing that Israel has to respond. Watch the Interview Here .

CNN Interview with Wolf Biltzer

15 Apr, 2024
Wolf Blitzer and I discuss the ongoing Israel and Iran situation. Watch the Interview Here .

DC Examiner Article by Mike Brest

15 Apr, 2024
"My view is Israel probably has to strike back hard and try to reestablish deterrence and make sure the Iranians know that they can’t strike Israel with 300-plus missiles and drones with impunity," I said to the DC Examiner. Read the Article Here .

Wall Street Journal Article

15 Apr, 2024
Solid piece but for one error: we moved Israel into CENTCOM at end of Trump term for the reasons this conflict is exposing. I had great support from Mike Pompeo to push this. See page 185 of "A Sacred Oath" for the how and why we did this. Read the Article Here .
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