NYT Op-Ed: The Downside of High Trust in the Military

Jessica D. Blankshain and Max Z. Margulies, The Downside of High Trust in the Military, New York Times:

"When the military is seen as the most competent, trustworthy government institution, it becomes tempting to invite the military to undermine civilian control and democratic governance. This was evident in public speculation about the role the military might play in adjudicating or enforcing the 2020 presidential election and in recent reports that largely portray Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as a check on an out-of-control president in the final days of the Trump administration

...

In the long term, as difficult a challenge as it may be, we should make every effort to shore up confidence in civilian democratic institutions and to elevate other forms of public service, which can be done without denigrating military service."

Comment: This is obviously applicable to the debate about military justice reform. See, e.g., this exchange.