The Belgium’s Defence Attaché in Washington DC Brigadier General Bart Verbist has resigned after comments he made about the US President Donald Trump. On Thursday the daily ‘De Morgen’ published an article in which Brigadier General Verbist is quoted as describing the Trump presidency as being "characterised by chaos and unpredictability".
Belgian Defence Attaché in Washington DC resigns after criticising President Trump
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Several sources have told the press agency Belga that Brigadier General Verbist tendered his resignation this week after a breakdown of trust with the Pentagon. It is reported that he will be given a few weeks to leave the United States. One source says that what he said about President Trump is being held against him.
Brigadier General Verbist’s remarks appeared in in the Belgian Military Journal. The Journal is published monthly by the Belgian armed forces. The piece has since been removed from from the Belgian Military Journal’s website. A brief summary can still be found in the magazine’s newsletter.
The newsletter article reads "The first six months of President Trump's second term have been brutal and have undoubtedly ushered in a new chapter in international relations. Brigadier General Bart Verbist explains in no uncertain terms how the United States has embarked on a marked change of course under President Trump, both in terms of domestic and foreign policy."
"Chaos and unpredictability"
The newsletter article goes on to say that that this new direction has been "mainly characterised by chaos and unpredictability". It is unclear whether the many changes are driven by a well-thought-out strategic vision or rather by one-day politics, where Trump rules according to a 24-hour news cycle and wants to make headlines every time”.
According to a source, the matter came to the attention of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's team.