“We have not received a direct commitment from Secretary Esper that he will refuse commands from an illegitimate president,” lamented Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

By Brett Wilkins, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 10-14-2020

Defense Secretary Mark Esper has refused to rule out deploying troops during the 2020 election, raising alarm among some Democratic lawmakers, who urge him to definitively declare the military won’t interfere in the electoral process. (Photo: Staff Sgt. Nicole Meija/Joint Base Andrews/cc)

Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday called on Defense Secretary Mark Esper to definitively declare that U.S. troops won’t be used to influence the 2020 election after the Pentagon chief was evasive in written answers to questions about the role of the military in a peaceful transition of power.

Politico reports Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) raised alarm Tuesday after Esper would not explicitly rule out deploying troops to polling places on Election Day. Continue reading →