Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a key Republican lawmaker, has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to fire C.Q. Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling it an unjust action.
In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Bacon, a former military officer who worked directly with Brown, expressed strong disapproval of the move. “I served as a colonel and a one-star general with C.Q. Brown, and I believe he did not deserve to be removed from his position,” Bacon stated. He voiced concern about the impact of such decisions on the integrity of military leadership, adding, “While the military is resilient, I am disturbed by the lack of respect and decency shown in this action.”
This criticism marks the second time in recent days that Bacon has spoken out against Trump. Earlier in the week, Bacon also challenged the president’s remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who Trump had referred to as a dictator. Bacon described the comment as damaging and urged the president to rethink his words. “The president should reconsider his approach and recognize that his comments were out of line,” Bacon said, expressing disappointment in the president’s handling of the situation.
Bacon, known for his more moderate Republican views, represents a competitive district in Nebraska. His vote is critical in the context of the narrow Republican majority in the House, where the GOP controls just a 218-215 advantage. This slim majority means that each member’s vote holds significant weight, and Bacon’s occasional departures from party lines signal that he may be willing to break with his fellow Republicans on certain issues. His remarks highlight the ongoing challenges facing the GOP as it grapples with internal divisions and seeks to maintain cohesion in a polarized political environment.