Bulwark Takes Why is the Trump Admin Purging Our Military’s Best? (w/ Mark Hertling)
Oct 30, 2025
Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling joins Bill Kristol to unpack the unsettling trends within the military under the Trump administration. They delve into the troubling forced retirements of high-ranking officers and the strategic implications for NATO and U.S. alliances. Hertling offers insight into the redeployment of forces toward Venezuela, raises concerns about inexperienced leadership in naval research, and discusses the legal risks of military actions, highlighting the importance of maintaining professionalism and accountability in the ranks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Disagreement Is Not Disrespect
- Hertling argued many senior officers were removed for disagreeing with current policy rather than wrongdoing.
- He stressed that in the military, disagreement should not equal disrespect and is part of professional courage.
Don't Become A One‑Trick Pony
- Hertling warned against making the U.S. a 'one-trick pony' by over-focusing on select threats like Venezuela.
- He argued strategic flexibility and alliances across Europe, Middle East, and Indo‑Pacific remain essential.
Rotational Forces Built Trust In Romania
- Hertling described U.S. rotational brigades to Romania and other NATO states as deliberate trust-building efforts.
- He highlighted Romania's strategic Black Sea location and repeated Russian interference attempts.
