Three retired U.S. Army generals have warned of a possible civil war if the results of the 2024 presidential election are not accepted by sections of the military.
Retired Major Generals Paul D. Eaton, Antonio M. Taguba, and retired Brigadier General Steven M. Anderson warned in a chilling op-ed that another coup attempt in America in 2024 could divide the military and plunge an unprepared nation into civil war and urged today’s leaders to act to prevent such event.
“With the country still as divided as ever, we must take steps to prepare for the worst,” the retired generals wrote in the Washington Post.
As the nation nears the first anniversary of the Capitol riot, the generals are “increasingly concerned about the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election and the potential for lethal chaos inside our military, which would put all Americans at severe risk.”
“In short: We are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time,” they added.
The generals warned that next time could be far more cataclysmic if members of the military throw in with those who want to overthrow the government.
“The potential for a total breakdown of the chain of command along partisan lines -from the top of the chain to squad level – is significant should another insurrection occur. The idea of rogue units organizing among themselves to support the ‘rightful’ commander in chief cannot be dismissed,” the generals wrote.
“Without constant maintenance, the potential for a military breakdown mirroring societal or political breakdown is very real,” the trio noted.
A “disturbing number” of veterans and even active-duty military members took part in the attack on the Capitol. The “potential for a total breakdown of the chain of command along partisan lines … is significant should another insurrection occur,” they added.
In a “contested election, with loyalties split,” some might “follow orders from the rightful commander in chief,” while other “rogue units” might “follow the Trumpian loser … it is not outlandish to say a military breakdown could lead to civil war,” the generals warned.
The “lack of military preparedness for the aftermath of the 2020 election was striking and worrying. Trump’s acting defense secretary, Christopher Miller, testified that he deliberately withheld military protection of the Capitol before Jan. 6,” the generals noted.
That can’t happen again, they warned, noted the Huffington Post.
“Military leaders can’t wait for elected officials to take adequate action to prepare for the next time. “Not a single leader who inspired” the last attempt has even been “held to account,” the generals noted.
The trio emphasized that “the Pentagon must act now to reenforce “unity of command,” and order an immediate “civics review” for all members — uniformed and civilian — on the Constitution and electoral integrity.
And in a particularly dark scenario, the generals urged that the Defense Department “war-game the next potential post-election insurrection or coup attempt to identify weak spots.”
Everyone, they urged, must “show more urgency.”
