Ernst silent as Trump attacks veterans

President Donald Trump has continually attacked military veterans, many highly decorated. He has called them 'human scum,” 'dumbest human beings,” 'nut job,” 'failed generals,” 'a phony Vietnam con artist,” 'a lying machine” and the list goes on.

He was referring to veterans like the late Sen. John McCain, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, former special counsel Robert Mueller, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, Admiral William McRaven, four-star Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Rep. Seth Moulton, John Kelly, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, along with other veterans.

The ultimate disgrace was when he initially refused to lower the White House flag to half-staff for McCain, even though it became customary for presidents to sign a proclamation calling for the flag to remain at half-staff for members of Congress until the day of interment. This president forgot the name of slain U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson when talking to his wife and said her husband” knew what he had signed up for.”

Trump has never served in any capacity. He received five military deferments - one for bone spurs, and four for education - during the Vietnam War.

Sen. Joni Ernst's silence has failed these veterans. It's too bad that she did not come out of the shadows of Trump, Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party the last five-and-a-half years and defend these highly decorated veterans.

Larry Peter

Manchester