Esper urges keeping military apolitical in advance of 2020 election

Defense Secretary Mark Esper this week called on all Defense Department personnel to avoid partisan entanglements in the run up to the 2020 election that could damage the credibility of the U.S. military as an apolitical institution.

"Maintaining the hard-earned trust and confidence of the American people requires us to avoid any action that could imply endorsement of a political party, political candidate or campaign by any element of the department," Esper wrote in a Pentagon-wide memo. "Leaders will review the rules governing participation by DOD personnel in political activities and direct widest dissemination of the guidance in this memorandum to their teams."

President Trump has been criticized, especially by Democrats, for making partisan political statements in the presence of U.S. troops and at military bases.

Esper's message also follows an historic Senate vote Wednesday that acquitted Trump of two articles of impeachment.

Along with urging personnel to abstain from partisan activities and displays, Esper's memo further instructs DOD "leaders, teammates, and colleagues" to "inspire each other by setting an example, rejecting any sense of personal entitlement, and never abusing our position or our privilege of service."