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11 Nov, 4 tweets, 1 min read
Short thread.
FWIW, my takeaway from conversations last night with recent DOD senior officials:
1) DOD under Esper has pushed back more than many people realize against many Trump ideas, ranging from use of troops here at home, to Afghan withdrawal, to military options re Iran.
2) Chris Miller's career has been entirely in counter-terrorism, and Trump knows him in that context from his job at NSC. "Totally out of his depth" for broad responsibilities as Sec Def--but if Trump wants to launch more Suleimani-like raids, it would sense to have Miller there.
3) Kash Patel will be most powerful person in building as COS to Sec Def. A Trump loyalist, he helped engineer these changes, and is very close to WH Trumpists like McEntee and Meadows. Patel a more effective operator than Miller, will effectively be running civilian side of DOD.
4) A sign of the loyalty-oath atmosphere now at DOD: When Jim Anderson was fired yesterday as Acting Under Secretary for Policy, he was given a "clap-out" as he left the building. The WH called to request names of any political appointees who joined in so they could be fired.
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Bill Kristol Profile picture
11 Nov
Another thread.
More on DOD, based on further conversations with well-informed former Trump officials:
1. NSA Robert O'Brien also key; he urged removal of Esper, putting in Miller and Patel.
2. Having total loyalists not just at Sec Def but at DOD Policy and Intel is a big deal.
3. Re Miller, Patel, Tata, Cohen-Watnick, Ellis (new general counsel at NSA): "None is remotely qualified for the job he holds." But that's doesn't matter to WH. Along with Ratcliffe at DNI, we're getting close to Trumpist control or attempted control of the "power ministries."
4. Who knows whether intentions are mostly petty, or domestic election interference, or unimpeded decisions in foreign policy (latter could range from military force to military withdrawals, and from pro-Putin to pro-MBS). But, I'm told, both Esper and Milley are truly worried.
Read 4 tweets
Bill Kristol Profile picture
3 Oct
Short thread
1. Former VP chief of staff here.
I remember thinking, when I took over in the summer of 1989 as VP Quayle's chief of staff, how impatient I was with the long, detailed and hypothetical continuity of government (COG) briefings and exercises. I had work to do!
2. I recall saying this in passing to someone in the White House who'd been on VP Bush's staff. He stopped me, took me into his office, and told me in some detail about March 30, 1981. He said I needed to take this seriously. Other stuff seemed urgent, but this was important.
3. So I took COG planning seriously; thankfully it never really came into play. But there were a couple of times when President Bush was ill or looked as if he might have to be hospitalized, and I remember talking with the president's chief of staff about what might happen.
Read 7 tweets
Bill Kristol Profile picture
30 Sep
1. Lincoln's impromptu remarks to the One Hundred Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment.
Washington, D.C.
August 22, 1864
"For the service you have done in this great struggle in which we are engaged I present you sincere thanks for myself and the country.
2. I almost always feel inclined, when I happen to say anything to soldiers, to impress upon them in a few brief remarks the importance of success in this contest. It is not merely for to-day, but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children's children...
3. "...this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives. I beg you to remember this, not merely for my sake, but for yours. I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House.
Read 6 tweets
Bill Kristol Profile picture
26 Sep
1. I was among those who received an e-mail this morning from the former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, Charles T. Wells. I asked Justice Wells for permission to quote from his e-mail, and he agreed. I do so in this thread.
2. Background: Justice Wells was appointed by Democratic Governor Lawton Chiles to the Florida Supreme Court in 1994, and served until he retired in 2009. He served as Chief Justice from July 1, 2000, until June 30, 2002, and presided over the appeals in Bush v. Gore in 2000.
3. Here are excerpts from his e-mail to friends:
"I have never in the past written a letter or email to you about a preference in an election. I do so now with hesitancy because I know that you have concerns and interests which differ from mine.
Read 11 tweets
Bill Kristol Profile picture
10 Sep
Short thread.
1. In a piece yesterday morning -- thebulwark.com/american-conse… -- I suggested American conservatism might not be salvageable. The excerpts from Bob Woodward's book yesterday provided a new opportunity for conservatives to liberate themselves from Trump and Trumpism.
2. After all, better late than never!
Well, Never seems to be winning hands down. For when another moment of judgment presented itself, American conservatives once again chose not to rise to the occasion.
3. I won't go through the tiresome litany of sophistry, excuse-making, and misdirection we've seen since the Woodward excerpts--based on tape recordings of the president (!)--have appeared. Suffice it to say that conservative elected officials have ducked comment...
Read 8 tweets
Bill Kristol Profile picture
1 Sep
1. A short thread, following up on a theme of this piece--that on September 1, 2020 we face dangers to freedom and democracy less terrible and dramatic than those of September 1, 1939--but by no means insignificant. As always, Lincoln provides guidance:
thebulwark.com/trumps-new-con…
2. From Lincoln's 1838 Lyceum address:
"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!"
3. "At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us...If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
Read 5 tweets

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