Former President Barack Obama suggested this week that there is a form of “resistance” within the military that has prevented President Donald Trump’s administration from fully politicizing it. Speaking as the inaugural speaker in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s new lecture series, “Building Bridges,” Obama highlighted what he called “pretty big breakdowns” in major institutions, arguing that the military’s loyalty to the Constitution, rather than any political party or president, has helped maintain its neutrality. He contrasted this with his own administration, claiming that he earned the respect of military leaders by keeping political considerations separate from national security decisions and by listening to unvarnished advice from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Obama’s comments echo those of several Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, who have suggested that members of the military have acted as a “check” on Trump’s orders, refusing to follow directives they considered unconstitutional. Swalwell emphasized that while the military is not formally a branch of government, its honor and integrity can serve as a safeguard against political interference. The remarks come amid criticism of six Democratic veterans of Congress who released a video urging service members to ignore any orders they deem unlawful, including Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, and Chrissy Houlahan.
The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, pushed back on Obama’s statements, asserting that previous administrations had also politicized the military through initiatives like DEI programs, climate policies, and social events, which he said are being dismantled to restore meritocracy. Meanwhile, President Trump suggested that the Department of War may be investigating the six lawmakers for their video, describing them as being in “serious trouble,” and noting that, in the past, such actions could have carried far harsher consequences.