General Hertling Flirts with Disloyalty and a Legacy of Shame
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling is no lightweight. A 38-year Army veteran, he commanded U.S. forces in Europe, led troops in Desert Storm and the Iraq War, and earned a reputation as a straight-shooting officer who rose through the ranks on merit.
But somewhere between retirement and the bright lights of cable news, those stars on his shoulders have dimmed. In his frequent appearances on MS NOW and across other left-leaning media outlets, Hertling has unleashed a relentless barrage against President Trump’s military campaigns and how they are carried out. Hartling’s harshest criticisms involve Iran — and the battlefield orders he alleges are being issued by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Although he has been critical even of Trump’s successful Venezuelan action.
Former military leaders have long honored an unwritten code — once the uniform comes off, one does not play armchair general. One does not publicly trash ongoing operations or undermine the chain of command. One does not Monday-morning-quarterback the commander-in-chief while American lives are on the line.
A handful of retired officers have dipped their toes into inappropriate partisan criticism before—such as retired General Barry McCaffrey and others who could not resist the siren call of the cameras. But none have plunged into the depths of outrageous conduct quite like Hertling. His commentary does not merely stray from tradition. It shatters it.
What makes Hertling’s comments so toxic is how far they venture beyond legitimate analysis into outright propaganda that could have been scripted in Tehran. He has repeatedly branded America’s actions as war crimes – and intended war crimes. Hertling seized on Secretary Hegseth’s campaign against Venezuelan drug-runners and his announcement that they will “give no quarter” to enemies to intimate that the United States was committing war crimes – disparaging America’s reputations among allies and adversaries alike. Hertling has also condemned strikes on Iranian power plants and civilian infrastructure as violations of the laws of war – even though they never happened.
Hertling proposed disobedience to hypothetical illegal orders saying When they start giving unlawful orders, you find a way to push back on them… I would say I’m not doing it as the commander.” This implies that illegal orders are being giving – and that military personnel down the line would be able to determine the legality of an order. That is a cheap shot since the military has an official review process to make sure all actions comply with the rules of war – as Joint Chief-of-Staff General Dan Caine has explained on several occasions. Hertling’s statements and implications are malicious slander.
Hertling does not stop at accusing the Pentagon of criminality. He labels the entire operation an illegal adventure. “We have invaded another country,” he intoned – as if there was no provocation or justification. He frames Trump’s response as a baseless “war of choice” with “no justification whatsoever.” Never mind the 47-year trail of Iranian bloodshed and aggression—the embassy hostage crisis, the Beirut barracks bombing, proxy attacks that have killed and maimed American service members, the funding of Hamas and Hezbollah, Tehran’s relentless nuclear ambitions and the longstanding official “death to America” policy of the Iranian regime. Those inconvenient facts simply vanish when Hertling takes the microphone.
Even more alarming is his defeatist drumbeat on the battlefield itself. Hertling insists America is losing ground and has no path to victory. “We haven’t obliterated Iran’s capabilities… ridiculous to say,” he scoffed. “We can’t kill our way out of this,” he proclaims. His morale-crushing prediction of the outcome is more than a mistaken opinion. It is baseless disinformation. Hertling argues that “The best condition we can get out of this particular conflict is a draw. There is no win-win, there’s no win-lose. There’s going to be a draw.” More music to the mullahs’ ears.
That kind of talk is not analysis—it appeasement and capitulation in slow motion. It tells the enemy to hang in there because America lacks the moral high ground – both the ability and the will to fight. At home, it chips away at public support for the troops. Let us be very clear. Hertling is aiding and abetting America’s existential enemies – spinning the war analysis to Tehran’s advantage. They could not have a more effective American advocate if they were paying him.
This is not principled critique born of military expertise. It is unbridled Trump-hatred behind a general’s uniform. Hertling’s campaign does not just break with tradition. It raises profound questions about his loyalty to the United States in a time of war — and to the very military he once served. His rhetoric flirts dangerously close to sedition—personally declaring the war to be illegal, characterizing it by American war crimes, stating that Iran is not an imminent threat and determining that Iran is winning and will ultimately win. In generations past, such talk would have landed a man in handcuffs – or worse. Unfortunately, accountability for this brand of treachery is sadly out of fashion in today’s soft culture. Consequently, Hertling will face no formal reckoning.
But he should face something more enduring — the shame and dishonor of his former colleagues in the Pentagon and the soldiers and sailors currently in the fight. The outrage of the American public. America deserves better than a retired general who has chosen cable-news notoriety over fidelity to the country. The Hertling name should live in infamy—not because he opposes Trump’s political policies, but because he has gone far beyond civic dialogue and free speech. He betrayed the uniform he once wore with pride and the country he once served with distinction. General Hertling is a disgrace.
So, there ‘tis.
Joe-Such ignorance (and hypocrisy). You feel that you are qualified to weigh into matters dealing with the military and the guy who has actual experience in that area cannot? Sometimes I just can’t wrap my head around how totally ignorant conservatives can be. He is totally right to criticize the bumbling president and his equally incompetent dept of defense chief. It is not patriotic to follow a fool just because he happens to sit in the Oval Office. Saying that a general should not use his experience (and intelligence) to inform the American people that we have been led into illegal actions that have cost us billions, lost us credibility around the world and resulted in the deaths of thousands truly shows you are someone that even conservatives should ignore…
Larry has screwed the pooch on this one; most certainly offers no evidence of a crime that’s beyond a shadow of a doubt. And his timing is off. I guess he missed the part where the WAR is over, this scuttlebutt harmed no one.
Even though Trump announced the war is over, as is the excursion, let’s go back in time and pretend Larry is relevant. First, he whines about “His commentary does not merely stray from tradition. It shatters it.” Larry, let me tell you about being on the receiving end of the stray from tradition starting with the gold crap all over the People’s Palace that he chose to renovate by tearing a big piece down. Or his firebrand chats by social media. Larry whining about the opposition straying from tradition is a laughable, stupid thing to say given the moment.
Then, he never calls or proves that the General is a liar, or even got anything wrong. Just that he said it. He does accuse him of SLANDER, which is a lie against another person’s reputation. While he’s too timid to name names, I am guessing he means Hegseth-the-drunk, or Trump-the-liar-in-chief.
There’ a simple remedy sir: take them to court. Slander is a crime Larry.
I think you guys are pretty apt at bringing lame cases to court, GO FOR IT. Bring on the sea shell prosecution team.
Dunger and Mike fag rooting against America again. But us conservatives know the truth. You idiots are parrots for anti American communists assholes. They really “screwed the pooch “ by marching in the streets and calling for confiscation of private property. Does the left truly believe that shit? All I can say is BRING IT ON!!! I don’t know how you guys think about this issue but it’s fast becoming a thing with democrats. Comments are welcome.
Ham-on-dung: Broaching a new topic after falsely accusing me of “rooting against America” AGAIN seems about as stupid as it gets. Previously, you called me a liar, and after multiple requests for you to explain yourself, point out the lie, you failed to do so.
Your a guy who calls me names and can’t back them up. A man’s word is his bond, and in this, you have and are, neither.
Here’s your comment: have a nice day.
I spell my name: D A N G E R and you can’t support your claims; they must be false.
From an earlier story from Larry-Joe Horist: “General Mark Milley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Frank McKenzie, former head of the U.S. Central Command,” “they were both unequivocal on several of the most relevant key points:” “The decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan – essentially surrendering in the war – was made exclusively by President Biden on his own authority as Commander-in-Chief of the armed services” adding:
1. The American military leadership strongly advised against a complete withdrawal – and recommended that 2500 soldiers remain in Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban from toppling the pro-American government in Kabul in violation of the Doha Agreement.
2. That the government in Kabul was unlikely to retain power in the face of the Taliban fighting forces – contrary to Biden’s claims at the time. Although, they assumed it would take longer.
3. That the Taliban had already broken virtually every provision of the Doha Agreement – a fact ignored by Biden when he made his decision. In other words, Biden placed no conditions on his surrender.
They said Biden’s decision was based on a lie, that Biden left millions in sophisticated weaponry, ruined our intelligence capabilities and many other nasty things.”
Is telling the enemy you left millions in sophisticated weapons rooting for America? Or did you just point to the fact there was good stuff left behind?
On another day, Larry says: “It should be noted that General Minihan’s “gut feeling” (that China will attack) is not shared by the folks at the Pentagon. A Defense official said, “These comments are not representative of the department’s view on China” summing up “I tend to agree – and am inclined to think that Minihan’s communication was wrong and reckless.”
It appears that Larry recognizes that Generals often talk out of school, denigrate our President, talk out-of-school but when it’s aimed left, they are patriots, when it’s aimed right, they are traitors. Reminds me of those Nixonian days where Larry learned his craft. For the left, Larry says: “One does not publicly trash ongoing operations or undermine the chain of command.” For the right, he applauds.
Note that there are no ongoing operations of war in Iran. Trump has said there is no war, we have ceased military operations, don’t even need to comply with the 1973 War Powers Act, so that Larry construction caveat is moot. Actually there has never been a war, just an excursion.
Larry says the guardrail is: “Former military leaders have long honored an unwritten code.” Really, this guy is talking “unwritten code,” “tradition,” and all that crap when he voted for the guy that we are still waiting to act “presidential,” a guy who breaks every Presidential, Constitutional, and Republican tradition there is. Remember waiting for the Presidential pivot that is still coming. Or even acting in the traditional manner of a serious adult?
Give it a rest, look to the mirror. YOU FIRST.
In 1787, exiting from the Constitutional Convention, Franklin was asked by Mrs. EW Powel whether the delegates had created a monarchy or a republic, to which he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Franklin emphasizes that our survival as a democratic republic depends on an active vigilance and informed involvement of our citizens. Republics are not self-sustaining; they require citizens to have and hold “strong moral character, the will to work for it, and a real zeal for the rule of law.” Speaking out in criticism is enshrined in our most important amendment, the first.
Face it: on the messaging, this war is a clusterfuck. No one disagrees that Iran is a bad actor, has killed 600 Americans over the decades, and is the largest state-sponsor of proxy terrorism on the planet. That does not mean stay mum when a guy chooses to war based on a laundry list of shaky objectives, some questionable, his daily changes to priorities for said objectives, and a complete blind spot to Hormuz. A war determined, entered, and managed by one man. No allies, save one being self-served who used this war as a pretext to open a second front, no Congressional approval, it’s Don and Pete’s sandbox. Not to mention an ongoing war against our biggest adversary Russia that he promised to end before he took office over 1.5 years ago where now we seem to be leaving our allies in the lurch.
Larry should focus on the issues and leave the personal attacks to his less-than-adequate readers that are seemingly attracted to ad hominem in a great proportions. Attack what this general says, but fight for his right to say it. And screw off with the “tradition” stuff; you crossed that Rubicon the day Trump came down that escalator.
Dunger don’t you have a life? Every day all day long you are posting bullshit. You and Mike f as in fantastic fag should get away and take a cruise
Seth-sucks-dung: Yes, I have about that same life as you; my posts are just longer, but I am sure that I type faster too. I have automated much of my life, even my work, so yes, I do have much more free time than my earlier years. Have not been in a grocery in years, just point, click, and pick up. All bills auto paid; I mostly just sit back and watch the world go by. Kids gone and raised independent so not much time lost there either.
Funny thing is I spend most my time here looking at the issues, researching, and then my spin on the issues, usually spun liberal. Not Democrat, liberal. I will give Joe credit, his team comes up with the weirdest issues and yet, there they are.
You, on the other hand, come here, and you seem to spend most of your time attacking me or Mike, or both together. You talk about me, my female relatives, my body parts; it’s pretty creepy really. You call Mike a fag but you spend your all your time here talking about men while Mike and I talk mostly issues. You mention fag and excrement in almost every comment.
Sorry dude, think we’re on the high road here and you seem to be operating from the gutter on the down low. Nothing as sad as a closet case.
Frank Danger …. OMG you really don’t have a real life. LOL You have admitted what I have long believed. I research and write a lot, but I get out and smell he roses. Spend a lot of time out of the house — bowling, dining out, movies, theater, weekly massage, spending time with the kids when they are in town. And I go to the grocery store, the bank — not because I have to, but because I like socializing. Entertain at home. Life is a banquet, and I enjoy sampling all it has to offer. You say nothing is as sad as a closet case and yet your describe yourself as a closet case. Thanks for confirming what I have said about you in the past. No real life. And that is okay if that is how you want to live out your remaining years. But it helps to explain your bitter, hateful and obsessive negativism. PBP is your life. I guess it is time to stop feeding your and Mike f’s craving for relevancy and drop the mic. Enjoy.
Larry never says anything relevant to the comments made about his bullshit-only disparages the people who disagree with him and ignores the ignorance that his supporters spout. The reason is obvious-when he is confronted on his bullshit (like admonishing a general for using his experience to react to the ignorance of the current regime) he has nothing to say. I say dementia-low IQ people typically suffer from this disease more often, and Larry obviously is in that category
Mike f as in fag your dad jerked off in a flower pot and raised a blooming idiot