Donald Trump is so obsessed with defending an enemy flag that he privately threw a temper tantrum after Secretary of Defense Mark Esper issued a directive to the entire military banning the display of Confederate flags on military installations.
The directive did not specifically mention the Confederate flag, but was carefully worded to exclude it from the types of flags the troops can fly.
It’s yet another step in the right direction for our country that promotes a more inclusive society and national security apparatus. And, again, the Confederacy was an pro-slavery enemy force that committed treason, killed Americans, and lost the Civil War. There’s no way that flag should be allowed on American military bases.
Surprisingly, Trump did not lash out on Twitter upon learning of the new Pentagon directive, but he did throw a hissy fit about Esper behind closed doors.
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According to two people familiar with his reaction, Trump was fuming over Esper’s carefully worded memo that did not mention the flag by name, but effectively banned it from being flown on military installations by not naming it.”
In addition, Trump and Esper now apparently have a strained relationship.
Two separate people who have spoken with the President in the following days said they believe Esper’s job remains safe for now, though the relationship between the two has significantly deteriorated in recent months.”
Esper has only been Defense Secretary for a year, yet Trump is already tiring of him because, more often than not, Esper has tried to put the needs of our troops first instead of what Trump wants.
Barring Confederate flags will create a more inclusive environment and get rid of a divisive symbol that has caused tensions among the ranks.
It’s the same reason that Congress is poised to pass a bill by a veto-proof margin that directs the military to change the names of several military bases that are currently named for Confederate generals. It’s a move that Trump also opposes, but vetoing the bill would mean not funding the military.
Trump needs to abandon defending the Confederacy. The Confederate flag has nothing to with Southern culture. It’s a racist symbol of traitors who died a long time ago and it’s time to bury the flag along with them.
Featured image via Flickr/Gage Skidmore, under Creative Commons license 2.0
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