As M1 Abrams tanks take over DC’s streets, worry takes over military leaders. Concerned about the policization of President Trump’s Independence Day event, most top military chiefs will be skipping the festivities. With the President’s re-election campaign already in full force, the military personnel worry that the event has taken on a political hue. Trump has already broken tradition to deliver a speech in a special VIP area which the Republican National Committee is distributing tickets to. If Trump turns what is meant to be a celebration into a political event, he could put military personnel in the position of violating Defense Department guidelines. ”Military members may not participate in political campaigns,” said Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizens for Responsbility and Ethics in Washington. “This is likely the reason why they are hesitant to participate, because the guidelines are pretty clear about what they can and cannot do. If they come standnext to him for a political speech while in uniform, representing the military, it could become a problem.” Libowitz says if the celebration becomes an overtly political event, there are also laws that come into play. A federal law known as the Hatch Act prohibits government employees and resources from being used for political activity and the Appropriations Acts bars government funds from being used for purposes Congress hasn’t approved, including publicity of propaganda. Absent from the Independence Day celebration are Army Chief of Staff Gen.Mark Milley and his Navy, Air Force and Marine counterparts. Funds for the July 4th event are also under fire for other reasons. According to the Washington Post, more than $2 million collected from the National Parks Service entrance and recreation fees will be allocated to help pay for the President’s celebration. Trump administration officials have consistently refused to say how much taxpayers will have to pay for the expanded celebration. The diverted park fees represent just a fraction of the extra costs as a result for the event, which includes displays of military hardware, flyovers by jets and Air Force One, tanks on the Mall and an extended fireworks show.
According to former Park Services deputy director Denis P. Gal in, the entire Fourth of July celebration on the Mall typically costs the agency about $2 million.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Sarah PearceI just like to let people know what's going on in this world Archives
July 2019
Categories |