Why are military leaders silent about political retribution in the Trump administration?

Senior military leaders, both current and retired, have maintained silence when asked to comment on political retribution within the administration. As David Ignatius points out, this silence effectively amounts to acquiescence. Despite having various reasons for their reluctance to speak out, the fundamental reality is that their silence allows these concerning practices to continue unchallenged. This pattern of acquiescence may extend beyond current cases, with Ignatius suggesting more instances of political retribution against senior military officers could emerge in the near future. The silence creates an environment where political loyalty increasingly overshadows professional merit and expertise within military and security institutions.