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The military should play no role in President Donald Trump’s attempts to block the transfer of power to Joe Biden, the ten former US defense secretaries have said.
In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post, the group said the time had come for the Republican to accept that he had lost the November 3 election.
They wrote: “Our elections have occurred. Recounts and audits have been conducted. The courts have addressed the appropriate challenges. The governors have certified the results. And the electoral college has voted.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has repeatedly claimed that the US elections were the subject of fraud, without proof.
“The time to question the results is past.
“Efforts to involve the US military in the resolution of electoral disputes would lead us into dangerous, illegal and
unconstitutional territory.
“Civilian and military officials who direct or execute such measures will be held accountable, even potentially facing criminal penalties.”
The men involved, both Republicans and Democrats, including Dick Cheney, William Cohen and Donald Rumsfeld, do not specify Trump in the article, but urge those in power to uphold the “highest traditions and professionalism” of the military. from the US to the country’s history of democratic transition to a new government.
It comes after Trump was filmed pleading with Georgia’s election chief to help him. “find enough votes“.
The ten former Pentagon leaders also warned that preventing a full and smooth transition of the defense department before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20 could make the country “vulnerable to actions by adversaries seeking to exploit the situation.”
Former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney is one of 10 former Pentagon chief of staff who signed the letter.
Tensions with Iran they are one of those moments.
Last Sunday marked a year since the United States killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani.
Iran’s leadership swore to avenge the carnage days after.
More recently US Officials have said they are on heightened alert for a possible Iranian attack on US forces or interests in the Middle East.
President-elect Joe Biden will take office on January 20
There have been reports that the president has accepted his defeat behind closed doors, but Trump has continued to claim that the election was “stolen” from him on Twitter.
The support of several Republican senators and up to 100 House Republicans has been secured to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress meets Wednesday to confirm Biden’s victory.
Sunday marked a year since the Iranian military commander, General Qassem Soleimani, and the Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, were assassinated by the United States.
State officials have insisted that there is no evidence of fraud or other problems during the elections.
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