safety
Top general fired by Trump administration criticizes use of military for political missions
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 3, 2026
· 3 min read
By Kaanita Iyer, CNN
(CNN) — The former top US general whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired last year criticized the use of the military for political missions in an op-ed published Friday, pointing to the Trump administration’s deployment of troops to clamp down on crime in major cities.
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Key takeaway “(W)hen presidents use the armed forces for more politically contentious missions, such as addressing domestic crime in cities, the work of the military becomes more fraught,” former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The concerns raised by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown about the use of the military for political missions have significant implications for El Paso , a city with a strong military presence. The deployment of troops to major cities to address domestic crime, as seen in the Trump administration's actions, can have a profound impact on the community. El Paso's unique location on the US-Mexico border makes it a critical area for military operations, and the use of the military for political purposes could divert resources away from its primary mission. Furthermore, the city's residents, many of whom have ties to the military, may be affected by the administration's ban on diversity and inclusion efforts, which could impact the careers of local service members. As the situation unfolds, El Pasoans will be watching closely to see how these developments affect their community and the military's role in it.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Kaanita Iyer, CNN
(CNN) — The former top US general whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired last year criticized the use of the military for political missions in an op-ed published Friday, pointing to the Trump administration’s deployment of troops to clamp down on crime in major cities.
...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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