After largely ignoring former military leaders who were critical of former President Obama during his time in office, ABC’s World News Tonight touted those who had launched “scathing words” against President Trump on Wednesday, including former Defense Secretary James Mattis, who blasted the President as “a threat to the Constitution.” Anchor David Muir and chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz marveled at how “remarkable” their outspokenness was.
“And there’s another headline on this, scathing words from former Defense Secretary James Mattis about President Trump as commander-in-chief, describing him as ‘a threat to the constitution.’” Muir boasted. “And it comes after other former military leaders now, in a rare move, speaking out too.”
Raddatz lauded how “President Trump's photo op and the Defense Secretary's reference to America's streets as ‘Battlespace,’ prompting rare rebukes from two former chairmen of the joint chiefs.”
The two chairmen she was touting both served in that role under President Obama, which she failed to mention as she emphatically read their quotes to viewers:
General Martin Dempsey writing, "America is not a battleground. Our fellow citizens are not the enemy.” And Admiral Mike Mullen writing, Trump's visit “laid bare his disdain for the rights of peaceful protest in this country, and risked further politicizing the men and women of our armed forces.”
Following the video portion of Raddatz’s report, Muir teed her up to talk about General Mattis by sharing how the General was “angry and appalled” at the week’s events, but particularly towards Trump.
“This is a man who did not want to directly attack President Trump. He wanted to stay out of politics, which makes this even more remarkable,” Raddatz gushed. He added: “He told me tonight, ‘enough is enough.’ He said, ‘Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not tried to unite the American people.’”
Earlier in her report, Raddatz spun the National Guard’s presence in the nation’s capital as something menacing, as if they were a threat to peaceful protesters:
They are powerful images, the National Guard out in force at the Lincoln Memorial with hundreds of fellow citizens peacefully protesting below them on the national mall. The guard, a strong presence throughout the city, on the streets facing off in riot gear with those who have served in uniform as well.
Of course, there was no mention of how the National Guard was there to quell the nights of riots and looting that had gripped the city for days, nor how the Lincoln Memorial was recently vandalized with graffiti.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
June 3, 2020
6:43:02 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: And there’s another headline on this, scathing words from former Defense Secretary James Mattis about President Trump as commander-in-chief, describing him as “a threat to the constitution.” And it comes after other former military leaders now, in a rare move, speaking out too. Martha Raddatz speaking to former Secretary Mattis just moments ago. And Martha on that part of the story tonight.
[Cuts to video]
MARTHA RADDATZ: They are powerful images, the National Guard out in force at the Lincoln Memorial with hundreds of fellow citizens peacefully protesting below them on the national mall. The guard, a strong presence throughout the city, on the streets facing off in riot gear with those who have served in uniform as well.
LT. COL. CYNTHIA SCOTT (RET.) (Air Force): The military in the United States does not enforce the local population. That's just not how we do it here.
RADDATZ: President Trump's photo op and the Defense Secretary's reference to America's streets as "Battlespace," prompting rare rebukes from two former chairmen of the joint chiefs.
General Martin Dempsey writing, "America is not a battleground. Our fellow citizens are not the enemy.” And Admiral Mike Mullen writing, Trump's visit “laid bare his disdain for the rights of peaceful protest in this country, and risked further politicizing the men and women of our armed forces.”
And tonight, strong messages from leaders currently serving. The Navy's top admiral.
ADM. MICHAEL GILDAY: I’ll never know what it feels like when you watch that video of Mr. Floyd's murder. And I can't imagine the pain and the disappointment and the anger that many of you felt when you saw that.
[Cuts to video]
MUIR: And so, let's get right to Martha Raddatz, live tonight from the Lincoln Memorial. She spoke with former Defense Secretary Mattis moments ago. And Martha, as you know, he said in a statement, “I have watched this week's unfolding events angry and appalled.” You just talked with him. What have you learned tonight?
RADDATZ: This is a man who did not want to directly attack President Trump. He wanted to stay out of politics, which makes this even more remarkable, David. He told me tonight, “enough is enough.” He said, “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not tried to unite the American people.” David?
MUIR: Martha Raddatz with us tonight, as well. Thank you, Martha.
