Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to support the legislative waiver required for retired General James Mattis to become the next Secretary of Defense. The principle of civilian control of the military has been fundamental to the concept of American Government since the inception of our Republic. It was the Continental Congress that granted General George Washington his commission, and General Washington reported to that legislative body throughout the entire war. At the conclusion of the war, General Washington was the most popular and important figure in America. He easily could have positioned himself as the leader of the American government and, in fact, was urged to do so by many. Instead, General Washington famously resigned his commission on December 23, 1783, thus firmly establishing the principle that, in this new country, ultimate authority over the Armed Forces would rest with democratically elected civilians. General Washington's noble act was the foundation of such an important tenet of our democracy that the scene is depicted in a magnificent painting by John Trumbull, which occupies a prominent position in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. The principle of civilian control of the military was at the center of the debate when the structure of our Armed Forces was dramatically reorganized after World War II.…”