Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am here today in the Senate to sound the alarm about one of America's guiding principles--everybody knows about this--the constitutional principle of civilian control of our military, very much a cornerstone of our Republic. This fundamental principle of self-government may have been in jeopardy during the final days of the Trump administration, but before I get to that, I will provide a historical context. That principle became part of the American fabric on June 14, 1775, when the Congress of the Continental Congress appointed George Washington commander of the Continental Army. His commission ordered him to report to civilian authorities. It specified: You-- Meaning the new General Washington-- are punctually to observe such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of these United Colonies. Well, he followed that. At the war's end, General Washington gave this principle lasting purpose, and he did it with power and grace. On December 23, 1783, in a solemn ceremony at the statehouse in Annapolis, George Washington voluntarily surrendered his commission, as well as his military power, to civilian authority, the President of the Continental Congress. The scene is memorialized in a dramatic John Trumbull painting that is displayed in the Rotunda not far from here.…”