Democrats slam Trump for politicizing military in speech. 'Deeply un-American'

Brendan Rascius, The Seattle Times on Oct 2, 2025

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Congressional Democrats accused President Donald Trump of politicizing the U.S. military in a recent speech, denouncing his remarks as alarming and “deeply un-American.”

Twenty-five House Democrats outlined their concerns in an open letter to Trump, citing his Sept. 30 address to generals and officers in Quantico, Virginia.

The signers include Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado and Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania — all Iraq War veterans.

“We write as freedom-loving Patriots to strongly reject both the rhetoric and substance of your remarks,” they wrote. “You delivered an overtly partisan political speech and doubled down on your blatantly unconstitutional plans to deploy U.S. troops against U.S. citizens in American cities.”

In his speech, Trump spoke of his intention to send troops into U.S. cities to quell violence.

“They’re very unsafe places, and we’re going to straighten them out one by one,” the president said to the assembled military leaders. “That’s a war too. It’s a war from within.”

He added: “We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.”

So far during his second term, Trump has sent the National Guard to several U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to crack down on crime and unrest. He’s indicated that cities like Chicago and Baltimore could be next.

Throughout his hourlong address, Trump also repeatedly lambasted former President Joe Biden and “the radical left,” garnering pushback from Democrats.

“This nation and our Constitution demand an apolitical military,” the lawmakers wrote. “We’re teetering on the knife’s edge, and silence is not an option. It is on every Patriot, especially those who served, to stand up and stand against this blatant abuse of the world’s most lethal fighting force.”

A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 2.

Some Republicans praised Trump’s speech, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

“It is a breath of fresh air to see a Commander in Chief expressing unending pride in our military and being strong without apology,” he wrote on the social media platform X.

When asked whether it is appropriate to send military forces into U.S. cities, Speaker Mike Johnson declined to comment directly, telling ABC News, “I don’t serve on the Pentagon, I run the House of Representatives.” When pressed further, he said Trump’s comments were “cherry-picked out of a long speech.”