Bush Praises Caine in Apparent Trump Critique — SkimNews
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- George W. Bush appeared to subtly critique President Trump's handling of the Iran war by praising Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine at a Sept. 11 25th anniversary event, telling him "Thank God you are where you are, and we appreciate it."
- Bush delivered the remarks alongside former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice from his presidential center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
- Gen. Dan Caine, a trained F-16 fighter pilot, patrolled Washington, D.C., airspace after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and later served in the Bush White House before becoming Trump's principal military adviser.
- Caine reportedly warned Trump before the start of the Iran war that the U.S.'s limited stockpile of critical munitions and little to no support from allies would put military personnel in danger and hamper a large-scale operation.
- Caine has reportedly told other top Trump advisers over the past few months that Washington needs to end the conflict soon, arguing that escalating the war via the U.S. military is likely to backfire.
Why it matters: By using a solemn 9/11 anniversary as the backdrop for praising the general who has privately warned Trump about munitions shortages and allied isolation, Bush gave public weight to concerns the administration has been managing privately — putting daylight between a former Republican president and the sitting commander-in-chief at a moment when the Iran war is reportedly stalling.
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