Kayleigh McEnany isn’t exactly having a great day
Donald Trump has a press secretary who, prior to her days in his administration, was on television spouting conspiracy theories and other garbage. But it turns out that her speaking for the president has taken a turn for Kayleigh “Inane” McEnany. on Wednesday, in supporting Trump’s push to keep forts named after Confederate generals in place, McEnany stated:
When you think of Fort Bragg, we think of the brave soldiers that deployed from there. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion — this was the first black parachute battalion, trained at this fort. We must recognize the sacrifices made by these men and women, some of whom saw Fort Bragg for the last time before they went overseas.
General Braxton Bragg was a Confederate general and later became Advisor to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Fort Bragg was named after him, a native North Carolinian. Bragg became popular after his efforts in the Mexican-American War, and the fort history and information does not disclose his Civil War involvement, but only his heroics in the Mexican-American War (the city of Fort Bragg, California is named after him and his efforts in that war).
Kayleigh is correct that the 555th trained at this fort, as did many other troops. Trump’s statement in a tweet to which she responded, “These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage, and a history of Winning, Victory, and Freedom,” misses the issue. Rename Fort Bragg or not, Bragg during his Civil War involvement was not fighting for freedom for sure and was not about “winning.” Just more of the tone deafness and inanity of McEnany and Trump.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.