In part one of this two-part special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck speaks with Janessa Goldbeck, a military veteran and advocate, about the escalating concerns over Trump's use of military forces for domestic purposes. Goldbeck draws on her military experience to explain why deploying the National Guard and Marines for civilian policing represents a dangerous escalation that the military isn't trained for, while discussing how Trump appears to be deliberately seeking confrontation to normalize military involvement in domestic affairs. The conversation explores the critical shortage of resources facing D.C.'s police department and how local leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser are trying to navigate an increasingly tense political landscape.

The discussion delves into broader questions about military leadership, political neutrality, and institutional resistance during what Goldbeck describes as a "once in a generation threat." She examines whether the military truly operates as a meritocracy, how service members' diverse political ideologies are being tested, and why military leaders have remained largely silent in the face of norm-shattering orders. From war-gaming potential scenarios of insurrection to discussing the systematic dismantling of the VA, Goldbeck offers insights into how veterans are grappling with feeling politically homeless while warning about sustained efforts to change election rules and undermine democratic institutions.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 There’s a lack of resources for policing

04:30 Trump has the authority to take control of DC temporarily

07:00 Trump escalates hoping to provoke backlash

09:00 Military policing is anti-American, but regular policing does have issues

11:30 Janessa Goldbeck joins the Chuck ToddCast! 

13:15 Janessa's experience in the military/origin story 

16:30 Mandatory public service would help unify the country 

17:45 The military's overseas role in policing/humanitarian efforts 

18:30 The military isn't trained for domestic policing 

20:30 Trump deploying the guard/marines is escalatory 

21:45 D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser has tried to be diplomatic 

23:15 There's been a shortage of resources for D.C's police department 

24:30 Trump is looking for a fight 

26:30 Trump is trying to normalize military use for civilian missions 

27:30 How do military leaders resist politicization? 

29:15 Is the military a true meritocracy? 

31:00 Is DoD recruiting policy now based on ideological agreement? 

32:30 Service members are fairly split on their political ideology 

34:00 Military leadership has remained silent 

35:45 Why should military leaders speak out? 

38:30 Capitulating to Trump just emboldens him further 

39:30 Advice to veterans who feel politically homeless? 

41:45 When do you fight fire with fire, and when do you stand on principle? 

43:45 There's a crisis of faith in the system 

45:00 Facing a once in a generation threat in Trump 

47:00 The military won't "rise up" to defy Trump, it will go through courts 

48:00 Trump's military orders haven't been unlawful, just norm shattering 

49:30 War gaming a insurrection/coup 

54:00 There's a sustained effort to change election rules & law 

54:45 The administration is destroying the VA in order to privatize it 

56:15 Vets have a libertarian streak 

58:00 New guardrails needed for preventing politicization of the military?

1:00:45 Expand the house, abolish the senate