Donald Trump was an interesting absence in the decision to mobilize the D.C. National Guard on Wednesday as his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Military leaders consulted with Mike Pence, who was under siege on the scene, his personal safety at risk. Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also talked to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, according to a statement. That’s a lot of people to consult without consulting the guy who is supposedly in charge.
One reason for that is that, according to reports, Trump resisted mobilizing the National Guard against his supporters. This raises the question of whether military leaders and his own vice president went around him. The excuse being offered for why this was not a constitutionally questionable move is that Trump had supposedly given permission in advance for the acting defense secretary to do whatever needed to be done, National Guard-wise.
“During these conversations the President conveyed to the Acting Secretary that he should take any necessary steps to support civilian law enforcement requests in securing the Capitol and federal buildings,” Miller’s chief of staff said.
Maybe so. Maybe not. It sure seems like Trump’s initial reluctance did at least delay the mobilization, so whatever authority had been given ahead of time, there was an element of going around him.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed that Trump “directed” the mobilization, but no one believes anything she says anyway.
All of this raises a serious “who’s actually in charge here” question that harks back to then-Secretary of State Al Haig’s famous insistence that “As of now, I am in control here, in the White House.” He was not. This time around, no one is quite willing to step up and even make that claim. But there’s sure no sign that Donald Trump is.
