Virginia Veterans Respond to Report that Donald Trump Wants The "Kind of Generals That Hitler Had"

October 23, 2024

In a recent article for The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg reports: “As his presidency drew to a close, and in the years since, [Donald Trump] has become more and more interested in the advantages of dictatorship, and the absolute control over the military that he believes it would deliver. ‘I need the kind of generals that Hitler had,’ Trump said in a private conversation in the White House, according to two people who heard him say this. ‘People who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders.’”

The article highlights Trump's troubling and dangerous obsession with authoritarianism, along with several accounts of him disparaging fallen soldiers and expressing contempt for those who serve in the military and their commitment to sacrifice and honor. In one account, he said “only ******* went to Vietnam,” and in another, said he didn’t want to pay for a funeral for a “f—ing Mexican.”

Read the full article here.

Statement from Terron Sims, Virginia Army Veteran and DNC Chair of the Veterans and Military Families Caucus

“In the United States, soldiers do not follow the orders of a dictator. In Donald Trump’s America, loyalty to one man is demanded over loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law. Here, fallen soldiers are honored and respected; under Trump, they are called weak and denied the dignity they deserve.

Time and again, Trump has proven he will dismantle the very foundations of our democracy for his own gain, trampling the principles of sacrifice, honor, and respect that our military stands for. We cannot allow him to be Commander-in-Chief again—the future of our nation and the world depends on it.”

Statement from Charley Conrad, Virginia Navy Veteran and DPVA Chair of the Veterans and Military Families Caucus

“Donald Trump is a disgrace to everything our country stands for. Our military is built on sacrifice and honor to the Constitution—not bowing to a dictator who threatens our democracy. As a veteran, I’m not only deeply concerned by his recklessness but also insulted by his constant attacks on the service of active military members, wounded veterans, and fallen soldiers. Someone who calls those who defend our country "******* and losers" should never hold the title Commander-in-Chief. We must uphold the ideals of duty and respect by rejecting wannabe dictator Donald Trump."

Latest News

First Day of Early Voting for Key Virginia Special Elections

December 11, 2024
Early voting begins on, December 11th, for the House District 26 and Senate District 32 special elections. It is essential to keep these seats blue to protect our Democratic majority in the General… Read More

Jack Trammell Wins SD-10 Democratic Nomination in Special Election to Replace Republican State Senator John McGuire

December 3, 2024
Jack Trammell has secured the Democratic nomination in the special election for the State Senate District 10 seat being vacated by Republican Congressman-elect John McGuire (VA-05). Trammell was the… Read More

Statement from DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker on Jason Miyares’ Reelection Announcement

November 18, 2024
"As Attorney General, Jason Miyares has been a MAGA mouthpiece in pushing an extreme agenda. Virginians deserve an Attorney General who will stand up for their rights and freedoms, not someone who is… Read More

Delegate Kannan Srinivasan Wins SD-32 Democratic Firehouse Primary, Becomes Nominee to Hold Onto Suhas Subramanyam’s Seat

November 15, 2024
On Nov 15th, Delegate Kannan Srinivasan won the Democratic nomination for the State Senate District 32 seat being vacated by Congressman-elect Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10). With the special election set… Read More

ICYMI: Glenn Youngkin Doesn’t Care if Virginians Lose Their Jobs, Supports Trump’s Promise to Move Jobs Out of Virginia

November 13, 2024
Last night (on Nov 12th), Donald Trump took his first step toward his campaign promise of relocating thousands of federal government jobs out of Virginia with the creation of the Department of… Read More