Alexander Vindman, the retired lieutenant colonel known in part for publicly sharing his insights amid the first impeachment inquiry targeting then-President Donald Trump, is among those taking notice of recent actions by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).
Tuberville has launched a still ongoing series of objections to the otherwise swift confirmation in the Senate of what are now hundreds of selections for top posts in military leadership. The Alabama Republican is outraged at the Defense Department making travel support available to personnel seeking an abortion, health services now subject to a patchwork of access nationwide because of the restrictions rushed through by Republicans after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Now, several branches of the military are without Senate-confirmed leaders in the high-ranking posts whose occupants serve as part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because of Tuberville’s outrage at support that indirectly boosts the availability of critical health services.
“The generals/admirals who will be leading our forces a decade from now are colonels & captains today. They will conclude that their service… is no longer valued by Congress or, by extension, the American public,” Vindman said. He was quoting an article from The Washington Post written by top civilian leaders in the military. The sentiment is similar to the relayed concern from figures overseas about the progression of democracy in the United States in the wake of incidents like January 6 and Trump’s incessant ploys to retain presidential power despite losing the 2020 election. Observers, including the personnel inside the military affected by Tuberville’s antics, are positioned to wonder where this is all going.
Even though some of the responsibilities associated with the posts Tuberville’s decisions are affecting are being fulfilled on what’s known as an acting basis by other individuals, that transference of power and control isn’t necessarily comprehensive, and some have spoken to significant logistical challenges still presented to the military’s leaders by the forced reshuffling. Some have also expressed concerns about the impacts on military families whose plans have been upended as their futures have changed.
The generals/admirals who will be leading our forces a decade from now are colonels & captains today. They will conclude that their service… is no longer valued by Congress or, by extension, the American public. @TTuberville @SenTuberville https://t.co/8LVdsjqsI8
— Alexander S. Vindman ❎ (@AVindman) September 5, 2023
