Their words should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that the civilian leadership intends to use the threat and actuality of violence to infringe on Americans’ constitutional rights. These are unprecedented and dangerous words from the civilian leadership of our military. What was reassuring was how the military leaders reacted. It is the appropriate professional response by the military when forced by their civilian leaders into being present at political events. There will be critics who want these military leaders to resign in protest, but this is a bad idea.