Army Chief Responds to Trump Saying Pentagon Brass Seek Wars

Gen.James McConville, Army chief of staff, defends military leaders after President Donald Trump said they promote wars to please defense contractors.

• “Many of these leaders have sons and daughters that have gone to combat or may even be in combat right now,” McConville said during a “Defense One” program today. “I can assure the American people that the senior leaders would only recommend sending our troops to combat when it’s required for national security.”
• General says he doesn’t want to get involved in political debate because “we’re an apolitical organization, and I think it really must remain that way — especially with an election coming.”
• NOTE: Trump said during White House news conference on Monday that “the top people in the Pentagon” probably don’t like him “because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”