It is reasonable to give him some benefit of the doubt and take him at his word that he made a mistake and, after reflection, considers the rhetoric too intense

It is reasonable to give him some benefit of the doubt and take him at his word that he made a mistake and, after reflection, considers the rhetoric too intense. A member of his Defense Science Board resigned [0] in the wake of the decision and one of the former Joint Chiefs [1] spoke out against his actions. I hope he is responding to these voices. Edit: Link update 0. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/02/secretary-esper-you-violated-your-oath-aiding-trumps-photo-op-thats-why-im-resigning/?arc404=true https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/02/secretary... 1. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/politics/mike-mullen-trump-church-photo-op/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/politics/mike-mullen-trump-ch...