Secretary of Defense Mark Esper Gets Roasted for Saying Governors Need to ‘Dominate the Battlespace’
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Celebrities, journalists, and commentators responded to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s claim that America “need to dominate the battlespace” in cities amid nationwide riots, Monday, with a combination of mockery and concern.
Esper reportedly told governors in a phone call, “We need to dominate the battlespace… I think the sooner that you mass and dominate the battlespace, the quicker this dissipates and we can get back to the right normal,” in reference to the riots which authorities have struggled to get under control.
“Apparently, our defense secretary thinks America is a battlefield,” responded Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer.
Apparently, our defense secretary thinks America is a battlefield. https://t.co/YmYMJf55m7
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) June 1, 2020
“Is this is the Secretary of Defense speaking about US cities? Really?” commented CNN national security and legal analyst Susan Hennessey.
Is this is the Secretary of Defense speaking about US cities? Really? https://t.co/zG8CQ6tOmN
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) June 1, 2020
our human capital stock is ready to mass and dominate the battlespace
— Matt Pearce ? (@mattdpearce) June 1, 2020
Trump’s Department of Defense is referring to our cities as “the battlespace” that governors need to “mass and dominate.”
They really don’t like it when the human capital stock starts demanding things. https://t.co/BH4fOmoQgX
— Max Berger (@maxberger) June 1, 2020
This is where the war on terror was *always* going. https://t.co/xhrWkrLGOk
— Matt Duss (@mattduss) June 1, 2020
I’m sorry, but to hear the civilian head of the Defense Department talking about “dominate the battlespace” when talking about US protestors is absolutely galling
— Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) June 1, 2020
If they’re going to mass and dominate the battlespace, I better get down to the battlespace quick and pick up some milk and eggs. https://t.co/ShyMx1K460
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) June 1, 2020
“Dominate the battlespace”?
Why the hell was the Defense Secretary even involved? https://t.co/oV5J2Y2SIt— Peter Gleick (@PeterGleick) June 1, 2020
Sheesh…Esper tells governors dealing with civil unrest that “We need to dominate the battlespace.” https://t.co/G71DmrGoSL
— Greg Jaffe (@GregJaffe) June 1, 2020
To serve, protect, and dominate the battlespace. https://t.co/vAkKOvqMWC
— Max Steele (@maxasteele) June 1, 2020
“Battlespace”
I’d tell you my thoughts on using war language on things that most assuredly aren’t (poverty, science, drugs, etc) but I don’t want @PatrickQuarter to have to scroll past that tweet again. It might end him.
So I’ll just say there are far, far better alternatives. https://t.co/UsiwD9XqNy
— Gregg Favre (@GreggFavre) June 1, 2020
The “battlespace”?? Like, Target and CVS and the variety store near my house? (Sirens blaring as I write this…) https://t.co/fjmi4U4bPV
— Jill Lawrence (@JillDLawrence) June 1, 2020
When Trump talked about ending foreign wars and bringing those resources home, I didn’t think he meant it quite this directly https://t.co/qrDisJWaaF
— David A. Graham (@GrahamDavidA) June 1, 2020
From the folks who fixed Iraq and liberated Afghanistan, a bold new plan for American cities: https://t.co/ZQDzGc6hKv
— Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) June 1, 2020
not sure why anyone would turn to the US military for advice about ending violent situations in the 21st century https://t.co/L9iZCM3I7j
— Max J. Rosenthal (@maxjrosenthal) June 1, 2020
American cities are not a “battlespace” and it’s disturbing that the head of the US Department of Defense sees it that way. https://t.co/ddlaWN7f0X
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) June 1, 2020
Iraq War Army veteran Fred Wellman also criticized Esper’s comments, posting, “The Secretary of Defense of the United States is talking about American cities like we talked about fighting insurgents in Iraq. Two issues. First, this is declaring war on our fellow citizens exercising their First Amendment Rights. Second….IT DIDN’T WORK IN IRAQ EITHER!”
The Secretary of Defense of the United States is talking about American cities like we talked about fighting insurgents in Iraq. Two issues. First, this is declaring war on our fellow citizens exercising their First Amendment Rights. Second….IT DIDN’T WORK IN IRAQ EITHER! https://t.co/X1c6yJgHcS
— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) June 1, 2020
