President Trump’s plans for a parade to celebrate the U.S. military is not sitting well with Robert O’Neill — the former Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden.
SEAL Team 6 took out America’s most wanted terrorist on May 2, 2011, during operation Neptune’s Spear in Abbottabad, Pakistan, but a key member says a military parade in 2018 is akin to “third-world bullshit.”
Mr. O’Neill voiced his displeasure of the idea via Twitter on Thursday.
“A military parade is third world bullshit. We prepare. We deter. We fight. Stop this conversation,” the famous veteran said.
The feedback comes as political observers weigh the merits of Mr. Trump’s idea, which was first reported by The Washington Post on Tuesday.
A military parade is third world bullshit. We prepare. We deter. We fight. Stop this conversation.
— Robert J. O’Neill (@mchooyah) February 8, 2018
“The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,” a military official speaking on condition of anonymity told the newspaper. “This is being worked at the highest levels of the military.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the idea by saying Mr. Trump merely wanted to show support for “America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe.”
“He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation,” she said.
Defense Secretary James Mattis defended Mr. Trump’s plan on Wednesday by saying it would be done as a show of “affection and respect.”
“We’ve been putting together some options. We’ll send them up to the White House for decision,” Mr. Mattis told reporters.
Mr. O’Neill is the author of “The Operator: Firing the shots that killed bin Laden.” He conducted more than 400 combat missions over the course of his career.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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