Trump does not have the support of the generals

After long refusing to openly criticize the current president, former US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday accused Donald Trump of trying to divide America and categorically rejected the possibility of the military responding to civil unrest.

The comments from Mattis, a respected general who resigned in 2018 due to political disagreements, are the harshest the former Pentagon chief has yet made regarding Trump's reaction to the killing of African-American George Floyd.

Mattis' comments are also part of a growing emphasis by Pentagon leadership on the core values ​​of the US military, including respect for the Constitution that guarantees freedom of assembly and principles of equality.

"Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who doesn't try to unite the American people - he doesn't even pretend to do so," Mattis said in a statement published by the "Atlantic" portal. "Instead he is trying to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of such efforts".

On Monday, Trump threatened to send in the military to quell civil unrest that has engulfed several cities, against the wishes of state governors — upsetting current and former military officials who fear a mutiny within their ranks and lasting damage to the military's reputation as one of the most respected and best funded institutions in the US.

"The militarization of our response, as we have had the opportunity to see in Washington, opens up a conflict - a false conflict - between the military and civil society," Mattis wrote.

Trump responded on Twitter by calling Mattis "the most overrated general in the world."

"I didn't like his management style or anything, and a lot of people agree with that. I'm glad he's gone," wrote Trump.

Mattis, who enjoys a high profile in military circles, could inspire other uniformed personnel and veterans to speak out.

According to Reuters, Mattis' harsh statement is surprising if one takes into account that in a series of interviews and appearances since he left his post at the Pentagon, he has resolutely refused to criticize Trump.

His comments followed criticism from other retired officers, including Marine Gen. Mike Mullen and retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, who were both chiefs of staff.

The current Chief of Staff, General Mark Miley, sent a message to the armed forces reminding them of their oath to uphold the US Constitution, which gives Americans the right to "freedom of speech and peaceful assembly."

Similar messages were sent by other military leaders.

Current Defense Secretary Mark Esper also said at a press conference on Wednesday that he does not support activating the Sedition Act, which would allow for a military response.

Because of such comments, according to Reuters, Esper could fall out of favor with the president and his closest associates.

Meanwhile, after prosecutors filed new indictments against the police officers held responsible for Floyd's murder, protests across the US and the violence that often accompanied them are subsiding.

In several large cities, the movement bans that were in force for the past few days have been eased or completely lifted.

In Brooklyn, New York, police in riot gear rushed into peaceful protesters who were ignoring curfews and beat some of them, as well as journalists who tried to take cover.

In the most serious incident, a man stabbed a police officer in Brooklyn, and two officers who tried to help him were also injured before they shot and wounded the attacker, police said.