While there are an endless number of talking points from President Donald Trump’s speech on Tuesday, one in particular is rubbing some the wrong way. Some military officers are calling Trump’s very public tribute to Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens distasteful and exploitative.
While many members of the public viewed the moment as a moving tribute, others saw it as a way to use a serviceman’s death for political leverage. Military service, they argue, is supposed to be apolitical.
Trump’s relationship with the military hasn’t been the greatest during his short time in office. After the Yemen raid that saw CPO Owens killed in action, Trump seemed to be distancing himself from the decision-making process:
“This was a mission that was started before I got here … This was something that they wanted to do.”
Donald, you’re the Commander in Chief now. You’re the top dog. Which means you take responsibility for what happens under your watch. Many saw Trump’s words as an attempt to divest himself of responsibility of the raid’s flaws, and perhaps Owens’ death.
But during the speech Tuesday evening, Trump praised the raid as a success that yielded important intelligence in the fight against terrorism. One officer humorously noted:
“His ownership lasts as long as it’s politically expedient.”
And while Owens’ widow was a guest of President Trump at the speech, Ryan’s father William Owens views Trump’s honoring of his son in a very different light. He refused to meet with the President when picking up his son’s remains at Dover air force base, and had some pointed words for him in an interview afterwards:
“Don’t hide behind my son’s death.”
The fact of the matter is that for our men and women in uniform, they have lost friends and family members during the past decade and a half that didn’t receive any of the same publicity. Death in service to the country is part of everyday life, not just one moment every year when the President gives a big speech.
After all, the troops do their jobs no matter who is in office.
Watch a discussion on this topic here:
Featured image: Screenshot via YouTube video.
