In part one of this two-part special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck speaks with Janessa Goldbeck, a military veteran and advocate, about the escalating concerns over Trump's use of military forces for domestic purposes. Goldbeck draws on her military experience to explain why deploying the National Guard and Marines for civilian policing represents a dangerous escalation that the military isn't trained for, while discussing how Trump appears to be deliberately seeking confrontation to normalize military involvement in domestic affairs. The conversation explores the critical shortage of resources facing D.C.'s police department and how local leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser are trying to navigate an increasingly tense political landscape.
The discussion delves into broader questions about military leadership, political neutrality, and institutional resistance during what Goldbeck describes as a "once in a generation threat." She examines whether the military truly operates as a meritocracy, how service members' diverse political ideologies are being tested, and why military leaders have remained largely silent in the face of norm-shattering orders. From war-gaming potential scenarios of insurrection to discussing the systematic dismantling of the VA, Goldbeck offers insights into how veterans are grappling with feeling politically homeless while warning about sustained efforts to change election rules and undermine democratic institutions.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
02:30 There’s a lack of resources for policing
04:30 Trump has the authority to take control of DC temporarily
07:00 Trump escalates hoping to provoke backlash
09:00 Military policing is anti-American, but regular policing does have issues
11:30 Janessa Goldbeck joins the Chuck ToddCast!
13:15 Janessa's experience in the military/origin story
16:30 Mandatory public service would help unify the country
17:45 The military's overseas role in policing/humanitarian efforts
18:30 The military isn't trained for domestic policing
20:30 Trump deploying the guard/marines is escalatory
21:45 D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser has tried to be diplomatic
23:15 There's been a shortage of resources for D.C's police department
24:30 Trump is looking for a fight
26:30 Trump is trying to normalize military use for civilian missions
27:30 How do military leaders resist politicization?
29:15 Is the military a true meritocracy?
31:00 Is DoD recruiting policy now based on ideological agreement?
32:30 Service members are fairly split on their political ideology
34:00 Military leadership has remained silent
35:45 Why should military leaders speak out?
38:30 Capitulating to Trump just emboldens him further
39:30 Advice to veterans who feel politically homeless?
41:45 When do you fight fire with fire, and when do you stand on principle?
43:45 There's a crisis of faith in the system
45:00 Facing a once in a generation threat in Trump
47:00 The military won't "rise up" to defy Trump, it will go through courts
48:00 Trump's military orders haven't been unlawful, just norm shattering
49:30 War gaming a insurrection/coup
54:00 There's a sustained effort to change election rules & law
54:45 The administration is destroying the VA in order to privatize it
56:15 Vets have a libertarian streak
58:00 New guardrails needed for preventing politicization of the military?
1:00:45 Expand the house, abolish the senate