A top general warns that Donald Trump's push to politicize the US military is 'reminiscent of Stalinism' and could take years to repair. Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, a former infantry chief, warns that the effort to bend the military to the US president's will is unparalleled in recent history and could have dire consequences. Eaton says the actions of Trump and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, are putting the military's reputation and efficiency at risk. Eaton, who has spent his entire life in military circles, warns that the politicization of the armed forces could have long-term consequences for the US. He says the Trump administration's actions are reminiscent of Stalin's 1940s purges of the Soviet military leadership. Eaton is concerned that the violations of the rules of war committed by the Pentagon outside US territory could soon become a reality domestically. He warns that a dramatic clash of forces could take place, with the federalized national guard facing off against state and local police. Eaton says the furor over the lethal US military strikes on boats in Latin American waters is a sign of the damage being wrought. He says the administration's claims that the strikes were targeted on 'narco-terrorists' are questionable, and that the strikes may have been illegal. Eaton is concerned that the politicization of the military and the deployment of the national guard into Democratic-controlled cities could lead to a loss of military independence and a potential escalation of violence.
