To properly frame how fortunate President Trump is to have gotten out of another possible foot-in-mouth moment, it’s appropriate to explain who he has by his side. White House chief of staff John Kelly, in any position he’s had (Homeland Security secretary, U.S. Southern Command, and even chief of staff), the one title that defines him is “General.”
“General” means more than just someone with a full coat of stripes on his uniform: It’s a protector, an enforcer. A good soldier is on the field, looking the enemy square in the eye, and vows to protect his or her territory, even if they don’t particularly care much for the objective. The mission is still carried out.
This was on display fully during Kelly’s remarks in front of the press on Thursday. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., accused the president of being insensitive to a Gold Star wife, telling Myeshia Johnson that her husband, Sgt. La David Johnson killed in action in Niger, knew what he was getting into when he enlisted. Kelly exclaimed that he was stunned that “a member of Congress” (not naming her directly) would politicize, to Kelly, the last remnants of honor in America: the sacrifice of the military.
To everyone in the media that claims Trump is severely egotistical, one not need look further to counterpunch than the hire of Kelly into Trump’s inner circle.
Two lines from his monologue can prove it: “…In his way tried to express that opinion, that [Sgt. Johnson was] a brave man, a fallen hero…” While Kelly also pointed out that he offered the president advice on how to handle such an emotional phone call, “in his way” is almost a statement of, “That’s not how I would’ve done it.”
The second was when Kelly described the values that were once held sacred: “Gold Star families, I think that left in the convention over the summer.” There’s no doubt, because of the magnitude of Trump’s attack at the Khans, that Kelly was roping that remark in with the Democrats exploiting the Khans’ grief over their son.
One could argue that Kelly was just defending his territory (the White House) the only way he knows how: with pure honesty. If that sometimes means Trump’s motormouth gets clamped, so be it. Those that issue attacks on the chaos in the Trump White House, and Cabinet, remember that he’s brought in an enforcer who is not afraid to speak truth to power.
This brings me to my next point: Kelly’s tactics should inspire more generals or military personnel overall to run for office, because of several key qualities that every cadet learns in their academies:
Delegation: As mentioned earlier, Washington is a swamp begging to be drained, but the system in many ways is built for gridlock. Sometimes, this is a good thing in the sense that the government and laws aren’t dramatically changing every four years. However, in times of infighting, as we’ve seen with the GOP’s fight to repeal and replace Obamacare, many would love to see “General” Mitch McConnell instead of six-term Sen. McConnell on the front lines, demanding quick change.
Teamwork: This applies more in the Cabinet than Congress. Teamwork in Washington should apply beyond the back-scratching that senators do in the Capitol subway. Teamwork should be applying the lessons used in battle; in politics, you have to fight for everything, but at the same time, hopefully extend a hand to join forces in crafting better bills to become better laws. In a Cabinet, this can mean, as it has in Trump’s White House, while not everyone has come from the same political background, there has to be a kumbaya moment where egos are set aside, and the president, our public spokesman, is well prepared to represent the interests of everyone.
Impartiality: Towards the end of his speech, Kelly spoke about the dedication of the Miami FBI field office in 2015 which he attended. He mentioned the wonderful memorial speech then-Director James Comey gave as the building was dedicated to two agents who were killed in a firefight in 1986 against drug traffickers.
It’s worth noting Comey and Kelly’s boss aren’t exactly friends. The point is, I have no idea what Kelly’s politics are, and I don’t care. He could be an old Boston Democrat, or a staunch military Republican.
I know that he does play for one team: his country.
Neil Dwyer is a graduate of the University of Miami, a political and sports broadcaster, and a freelancer writer.
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