National Security

Super Spreader Trump Compromised The Joint Chiefs

Written by SK Ashby

It's not that Trump and his inner circle spreading the coronavirus to other public officials and White House staff isn't concerning and dangerous, but that doesn't compromise national security quite like this does.

A majority of the Joint Chiefs of Staff including the chairman, General Mark Milley, are now isolating at home because the Coast Guard chief, Admiral Charles W. Ray, tested positive and had close contact with the other chiefs.

Gen. Mark Milley and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force have tested negative for the virus, but remain under quarantine as a precaution, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information not yet made public. The head of U.S. Cyber Command, Gen. Paul Nakasone, was also among those quarantined. [...]

Up to 14 officials are believed to have been potentially exposed to the virus after meetings last week with the vice commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Charles W. Ray, who has tested positive. The officials were informed about the positive test on Monday.

In related news, Trump has personally infected one of the officers (US Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Jayna McCarron) responsible for carrying the so-called "nuclear football" or briefcase that gives the president the ability to order a launch from anywhere.

At least one of the president's five military aides tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, after Trump himself tested positive, CNN first reported and Bloomberg confirmed. The aides, each representing one branch of the U.S. military, stay close to Trump at all times, and carry his emergency briefcase known as the "nuclear football."

I know it's cliché to say "imagine if Obama did it," but seriously; can you even imagine?

Trump has compromised national security in a way that no one else ever has and no foreign adversary ever could. The Pentagon says this has not harmed military readiness, and I'm sure that's probably true, but it is a grave risk that literally no other president would be allowed to get away with.

A central message of Trump's campaign has been that "Joe Biden's America" won't be safe for you, but we live in Donald Trump's America right now -- today -- and everything is going to shit.

Trump is a barely-walking threat to everyone's well being and security.