To announce there must be no criticism of the president or that we are to stand with the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
Generals aren't in the business of commenting on the correctness or incorrectness of the President's decisions. Anybody who thinks he should be able to do that ought to be fired on the spot.
Our loyalty is due entirely to the United States. It is due to the President only and exactly to the degree in which he efficiently serves the United States. It is our duty to support him when he serves the United States well. It is our duty to oppose him when he serves it badly. This is true about Mr. Wilson now and it has been true about all our Presidents in the past. It is our duty at all times to tell the truth about the President and about every one else, save in the cases where to tell the truth at the moment would benefit the public enemy.
Every man, who parrots the cry of ‘stand by the President’ without adding the proviso ‘so far as he serves the Republic’ takes an attitude as essentially unmanly as that of any Stuart royalist who championed the doctrine that the King could do no wrong. No self-respecting and intelligent free man could take such an attitude.
My role is not to be the President’s friend….When I am no longer the Chief of Staff, I expect to be the President’s friend.
You serve the country, and you help the President. If the President wants you to leave, you know, you are two corridors down.
It's an honor to serve, to have run with the president-elect [Donald Trump] and to have the opportunity to serve with him, but I've also become very fond of him . We've become good friends.
Cabinet members may disagree and even resign in protest, but, ultimately, they must obey the order of the Commander-in-Chief.
I am proud to do so for I know that by supporting George W. Bush, I serve my country well.
