---

 [ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312)

#  Trump’s Misuse of the US Military

**ONE MAN’S OPINION**-Trump’s craven betrayal of the Kurds will forever stain American honor, as well as have a devastating impact on our ability to form allies forever.

Written by Richard Lee Abrams.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Oct-2019/087j.png)

October 28 2019

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

**ONE MAN’S OPINION**-Trump’s craven betrayal of the Kurds will forever stain American honor, as well as have a devastating impact on our ability to form allies forever.

Anyone who thinks that treasonous betrayal fades from people’s memories should remember that it was in 1780 when Benedict Arnold attempted to give over West Point to the British.

Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds and the turning over of Syria to Russia and Erdogan has an element which even Benedict Arnold lacked. Benedict Arnold’s treason was thwarted, and West Point was not turned over to our enemies. But Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds was successful and now America’s enemies, Turkey and Russia as well as Syria’s Assad, are back in control. Make no mistake about it: Turkey may be a member of NATO, but it is no friend of the United States.

**What Evil Has Yet to Unfold from the Betrayal**

What about the impact on our troops who fought along with of the Kurds who lost 10,000 soldiers and were instrumental in defeating ISIS? The U.S. military is no stranger to being betrayed by civilians.

One segment of the United States has borne a disproportionate brunt of the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East – our voluntary military and their families. Not only do we call upon the same small slice of America over and over again to sacrifice their lives and families for seemingly never-ending tours of duty, but when they do return home, we treat them like human refuse. While we pretend to honor them as heroes, our homage is basically lip service. The bipartisan abuse of the military is a disgrace.

“According to the most recent report published by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2016, which analyzed 55 million veterans' records from 1979 to 2014, the current analysis indicates that an average of 20 veterans a day die from suicide.” (Source: Wikipedia, United States Military Veteran Suicide.)

How well will Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds who fought and died with us fare with our troops? Maybe that’s one reason Trump lies about bringing them home. Perhaps he hoped that U.S. troops would rejoice at cutting and running as the Kurds were murdered.

The betrayal of the Kurds is based on the gargantuan lie that Trump did it to bring our troops home. We all know now that the troops are staying in order to die while guarding oil. We know 14,000 more troops are going to Saudi Arabia. In reality, Trump did it because he suffers from a lethal personality disorder. This mentally impaired president, however, exists within a cowardly and craven political environment. The politicos care naught for the Constitution nor for the national welfare but solely for how each Trump outrage can be spun to their own political benefit.

**How Will the Military Respond When Trump Calls out the Troops to Keep Him in Power?**

Take your heads out of the sand. If Trump loses the election, as things stand today, he is not leaving. In Trump’s diseased mind, every criticism and set back, no matter how slight, is a “witch hunt” or “fake” or proof that he’s being more “persecuted than any other person in history.”

Whether it is left-wing crowds in the street or mobs of right wingers, Trump will declare a national emergency. Just as Trump sees nothing wrong with using the entire foreign service apparatus to dig up dirt on former VP Joe Biden’s family, he uses the military for his personal benefit along the southern border. Trump’s personal immigration agenda, which he pretends is a national agenda, leads to significant problems inside the United States so Trump [calls up the military](https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/04/10/trump-again-looks-to-boost-troop-deployments-at-us-southern-border/). \[\[\[ <https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/04/10/trump-again-looks-to-boost-troop-deployments-at-us-southern-border/> \]\]\]

Listen to [Trump’s own thoughts](https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/04/10/trump-again-looks-to-boost-troop-deployments-at-us-southern-border/) on his deployment of U.S. troops inside the United States:

“Our military, don’t forget, can’t act like a military would act. Because if they got a little rough, everybody would go crazy. . .They have all these horrible laws that the Democrats won't change.”

Once again, we fail to heed the words of a lunatic as he threatens to use the military to subvert the Republic. People forget that madmen with grandiose delusions of entitlement, often tell the world what they are thinking. Afterward, everyone acts shocked. If Trump dislikes a law or a part of the Constitution, then it has to be changed or ignored.

But what will the military do when Trump tries to use them to stay in power? Will they feel the shame of the betrayal of the Kurds and link that up betrayal with America’s betrayal of them and their families?

**Trump Endangers the Civilian Control of the Military**

If the military refuses Trump’s call for domestic deployment, then we have lost civilian control of the military. If the military heeds Trump’s call to keep him in power, we have lost the Republic to a dictatorship supported by the military.

The Dems merit no praise. When Pelosi used Trump’s mental illness for her own political benefit, no one within the Democratic Party seriously challenged her. Leaving aside all questions about the origins of the Mueller investigation, it was gross political malpractice to insist that it would find collusion since everyone knew Trump had not colluded. That fact was established by the meeting in Trump Tower with the Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, over the ersatz adoption of Russian babies. Had Trump been colluding with Putin, his idiot sons would not have been so excited to get dirt on Hillary since they already would have that information via the highest channels.

**Misdirection Is a Classic and Dishonorable Tool Unless You’re David Copperfield**

If one is a magician, then misdirection is A-OK, but Pelosi used the Mueller investigation as misdirection so that the Dems would not put pressure her to take some effective action against the national security threat posed by Trump. One rendition of The Pelosi Doctrine is, the more harm Trump does, the more power for Pelosi.

Now we are headed for a civil war since each side is led by craven opportunists. What will the military do in such a moral cesspool? Can the military prevent itself from being used as tool for domestic politics? Can it quell left-wing demonstrations and not right-wing riots? If the military has to keep civil peace, has not the government come to rest upon the power of the military?

What will we do when, over the next several months, Trump rearranges the military command structure with career officers who are more amenable to his ways? What if the likely civil war divides the military itself?

*(Richard Lee Abrams is a Los Angeles attorney and a CityWatch contributor. He can be reached at:* [***Rickleeabrams@Gmail.com***](mailto:Rickleeabrams@Gmail.com)*. Abrams views are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CityWatch) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.*

[![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 First Name

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/34/065h-34e1b43b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

### [Reminder to the Red States, Turnabout is Fair Play](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Indiana has been pounded by rains that resulted in widespread flooding. While the rain was still comi…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/75/064a-75d5dbb3.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

### [Your Boss Owns Your Workday—Not Your Brain](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

THE NEURAL WORKPLACE - California must protect workers before workplace surveillance crosses the final frontier: the hu…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d0/065o-d02f23ac.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

### [California’s Empty Classrooms Are a Warning Sacramento Can’t Ignore](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

A STUDENT'S VIEW - California is spending more on public education, yet classrooms are emptying, campuses are closing…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fe/064i-febc3c1a.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

### [All Talk, No Action: Nithya Raman’s Reckoning](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Nithya Raman lost the homelessness gavel, and the most damaging verdict didn’t come from Republicans…

---

##  [ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33215:a-second-karen-bass-term-gets-her-and-us-four-more-years-of-well-earned-voter-outrage&catid=312)### [A Second Karen Bass Term Gets Her (and Us) Four More Years Of Well-Earned Voter Outrage](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33215:a-second-karen-bass-term-gets-her-and-us-four-more-years-of-well-earned-voter-outrage&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33216:the-cynicism-of-homelessness&catid=312)### [The Cynicism of Homelessness](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33216:the-cynicism-of-homelessness&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33218:la-public-health-is-very-sick&catid=312)### [LA Public Health Is Very Sick](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33218:la-public-health-is-very-sick&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065p.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33219:second-judge-clears-way-for-curren-price-to-face-trial-on-12-public-corruption-felonies&catid=312)### [Second Judge Clears Way for Curren Price to Face Trial on 12 Public Corruption Felonies](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33219:second-judge-clears-way-for-curren-price-to-face-trial-on-12-public-corruption-felonies&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065k.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33220:olympics-la28-controls-the-money-trapping-city-hall-and-taxpayers&catid=312)### [Olympics: LA28 Controls the Money, Trapping City Hall and Taxpayers](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33220:olympics-la28-controls-the-money-trapping-city-hall-and-taxpayers&catid=312)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>