Slotkin Statement on Letter from Joint Staff to American Forces Affirming Apolitical Role in Election

Statement

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) released the following statement in response to the letter that the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent to American forces yesterday, affirming that on January 20, 2021, President-elect Biden will be inaugurated and become the 46th Commander-In-Chief, and that "any act to disrupt the Constitutional process is not only against our traditions, values, and oath; it is against the law."

In August of 2020, Slotkin and Rep. Mikie Sherrill submitted formal questions for the record, pressing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley as well as then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, to commit to uphold the military's apolitical role in the American political process.

"Back in the summer, Rep. Mikie Sherrill and I sent formal questions for the record to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley and the then-Defense Secretary to try and get them to commit to upholding the military's apolitical role in our elections," Slotkin said. "At the time, the President had spent months laying the groundwork to sow distrust in our elections, previewing that he would ultimately contest the results. We wanted our senior military leaders on the record about what they would do if asked by the President to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power."

"So much of why we sent those questions is now clear," Slotkin continued. "For months, I have spent hours on the phone with senior ranks of the military, knowing that a peaceful transition of power could come down to them. The letter the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent to American forces yesterday is an important recognition of their role in upholding the Constitution as well as the conduct and reputation of the institution they love ---- and will be vital throughout this next week of transition from one administration to the next."

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