Former General Hyped by Media for Warning of Military Coup has Long Record of Political Bias

A former general who has appeared frequently in the media to warn of a coup by elements of the military against Joe Biden has a long highly partisan history of extreme hostility towards Donald Trump.

Paul Eaton appeared on a number of media outlets last month, including CNN’s Situation RoomWolf Blitzer, December 20, at 8:15 p.m. to discuss the author’s work Washington PostTwo other former military officers wrote an op-ed. Blitzer then called for him to deliver a speech of nearly two minutes.

It is intended to highlight the possibility that the Armed Forces of the United States might be infected with the Republican Party.

The majority of us are conservative. Fox News is constantly broadcasting to military bases. The Republican Party has an opportunity. While 39 percent don’t believe President Joe Biden was the legitimately elected president, 17 percent of Republican Party members supported the use of violence during a subsequent election.

The ability of a political party to cast doubt on the election process is an indication that they can also insert doubt into its chain of command. This could lead to doubts in both the chain and the perception of it by military rank and staff. This is dangerous and exactly what is happening right now. 

December 17, 2008 Washington PostEaton was referring specifically to the article he had written with Steven Anderson (ex-army generals) “3 Retired Generals: Prepare now for a 2024 Insurrection.”

At the mere thought that a coup might succeed next time, we are chill to our bones. One of our military’s strengths is that it draws from our diverse population. The military is made up of people with diverse beliefs and backgrounds. However, without regular maintenance the possibility of a military or political collapse mirroring social and/or political breakdown is real.

Our armed forces have already begun to show signs of turmoil. A disturbingly large number of active-duty military personnel and veterans took part in an attack on Capitol Hill, Jan. 6. One in ten of those accused in the attack had a record of service. A group of 124 retired military officials, under the name “Flag Officers 4 America,” released a letter echoing Donald Trump’s false attacks on the legitimacy of our elections.

After casting doubts on many of the military’s future coup plotters, the generals recommended military personnel undergo “civics review” or woke reeducation.

What you don’t find out from either Wolf Blitzer or others in the media interviewing Eaton is his history of hatred of Trump and obvious partisanship on behalf of the Democrats. Eaton praises Biden for the Afghanistan withdrawal disaster, which even upset some Democrats. 

Since I was a child, I’ve been looking for someone with the guts to be president. I am a buck begins here type of person. And now we get Joe Biden. We thank God for you, Sir. We are grateful for your courage and strength. It was the right decision. Well done Mister President. Great speech BTW.

— Major General (ret) Paul Eaton (@PaulDEaton52) September 1, 2021

Ironically, despite all the talk about a coup Eaton was actually a member the Transition Integrity Project, which war-gamed Donald Trump’s removal from office. This is according to the August 6, 2020. USA Today“Experts played ‘war games” on Trump’s vs. Biden election. What was their conclusion? “Be prepared for some chaos.”

…”In this war game we saw role-players exercising power nakedly,” stated Retired Major General Paul Eaton. He is a veteran military officer with 30 years of service and was a senior advisor to Vote Vets (a progressive-aligned organization that supports military veterans).

And for all his talk about the danger of the military being politicized to oppose Biden, guess who urged military leaders in 2018 to speak out against President Trump?

Admirals and Generals – if you don’t follow Admiral McRaven’s example in his condemnation of @realDonaldTrump you align with America’s most disgraceful President. McRaven should be joined closely. Execute your oath of support and defense for the Constitution.

— Major General (ret) Paul Eaton (@PaulDEaton52) August 17, 2018