Opinion | Our military is busy enough. Stop dragging it into partisan politics.

Misuse of the military for political gain has become a partisan issue. It must not.

Michael O'Hanlon

This article is a guest column by Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow and director of research in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. The views expressed in this column are the author's own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Breaking Defense.

The U.S. military is designed to protect the nation against foreign adversaries. It is not designed to be used as a political tool. However, in recent years, the military has increasingly been dragged into partisan politics. This is a dangerous trend that must be stopped.

There are a number of reasons why it is dangerous to drag the military into politics. First, it undermines the military's ability to carry out its mission. When the military is used for political purposes, it can become difficult for it to maintain its focus on its core mission of defending the nation. This can lead to mistakes that could have serious consequences.

Second, it damages the military's reputation. When the military is seen as a partisan tool, it loses the respect of the American people. This can make it difficult for the military to recruit and retain the best and brightest people. It can also make it more difficult for the military to work with other countries.

Third, it divides the country. When the military is used for political purposes, it can create a sense of division among the American people. Those who support the use of the military for political purposes will see it as a sign of strength, while those who oppose it will see it as a sign of weakness. This can lead to a breakdown in trust and cooperation between the two sides.

The military is a vital part of our national security. It must not be used for political purposes. We must all work together to ensure that the military remains a nonpartisan institution.

Recommendations

• Congress should pass a law prohibiting the use of the military for political purposes.
• The president should issue an executive order prohibiting the use of the military for political purposes.
• The military should develop its own internal policies prohibiting the use of the military for political purposes.
• The American people should hold their elected officials accountable for using the military for political purposes.

By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that the military remains a nonpartisan institution that is focused on its mission of defending the nation.