'Scared' Ex-Generals Stay Silent Over Fear Trump Will Use Rare Military Law Against Them

[babylonsister]

‘Scared’ Ex-Generals Stay Silent Over Fear Trump Will Use Rare Military Law Against Them
by Lesley Abravanel | November 4, 2025 - 6:24am

— from Alternet


A military law that allows prosecution against ex-generals and retired senior military officers who speak out with "contemptuous" statements against President Donald Trump has rendered many silent, according to a report in the San Antonio Express News.

"Generals, admirals and other top commanders no longer in uniform are worried the administration might pursue criminal charges, tax investigations or other legal retribution against them," they report.

Retired military officers are worried because of Article 88, a section of the Uniform Code of Military Justice titled “Contempt Toward Officials," the newspaper reports.

Under this law, "officers can be court-martialed for speaking 'contemptuous words' about the president, vice president, defense secretary, members of Congress, the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and the governors or legislatures of any state."

This is why many are staying silent even as they vehemently disagree with actions of the Trump administration, including the strikes on boats in the Caribbean under the guise of a war against alleged drug traffickers.

"The Trump administration is using the law as a weapon to go after its enemies, exact revenge and suppress dissent," said Frank Kendall, who was secretary of the Air Force under President Joe Biden and, according to the Express News, has been sharply critical of Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

more...

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/lesley-abravanel/115341/scared-ex-generals-stay-silent-over-fear-trump-will-use-rare-military-law-against-them