Ten former U.S. defense secretaries who are currently alive spoke In a column published in the Washington Post on Sunday, January 3rd Against the Intervention of the Armed Forces in the Current Political Transformation. Former Pentagon chiefs Ashton Carter, Leon Panetta, William Perry, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Donald Rumsfeld, Robert Gates, Chuck Hagel, James Mattis and Mark Esper are all addressed in this open letter to the Pentagon. Peaceful transfer of power. Their call comes as Congress is set to testify on Wednesday that Democrat Joe Biden has won the November 3 presidential election and will succeed Republican Donald Trump on January 20.

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Attempts to involve the U.S. Armed Forces in resolving electoral disputes will take us to dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional levels. Civilian and military officials who order or carry out such actions will be responsible for the serious consequences of their actions in our Republic, including the imposition of criminal sanctions. ”Believe the signatories, two of them, James Mattis and Mark Esper, were appointed by Donald Trump to the Pentagon.

It’s time to dump her and move on. “

Ashton Carter, Leon Panetta, William Perry, Dick Cheney, William Cohen, Donald Rumsfeld, Robert Gates, Chuck Hagel, James Mattis, Mark Esper

As Congress faces January 6 with the certification of the presidential election results, Donald Trump confirms that he won the election and that it was Joe Biden’s victory that was accepted by the big voters. Received by fraud. U.S. courts have rejected dozens of appeals by the Trump camp against election results in recent months. Except for the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, with the exception of secession and civil war in the South, former defense secretaries commented. Record of peaceful transitions. “This year should not be an exception”, They say.

“It simply came to our notice then. Accounts and audits were conducted. Changes The courts have reviewed the formal challenges. The results were attested by the governors. Electoral College voted. Time to compete in results; The time has come to officially count the votes of the Electoral College in accordance with the Constitution and the law. ”, Especially writing a group of ten.

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The signatories did not specifically mention the reason for the public intervention. But reports from the American media that the possibility of imposing martial law had been raised at a meeting in White House had recently upset Washington’s political class. Donald Trump has denied this information.

The signatories to the appeal from two major American political parties call on Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and all defense officials to move to Biden’s administration, which has been elected president. “They must refrain from any political action that could weaken the election results or jeopardize the success of the new team.”, They add.