New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) launched a sharp attack on President Donald Trump Wednesday, accusing him of holding contempt for those who serve in the armed forces. Speaking on CNN’s OutFront, the former Navy pilot did not mince words, saying the president “despises military service.”
Host Erin Burnett, noting Sherrill’s own veteran status and her endorsement of 13 fellow veterans in upcoming midterm races, asked whether she believed the White House shared the same commitment to public service that she sees in those candidates. Sherrill responded with a direct and personal critique of Trump’s record on military issues.
“I think that we have a president who despises military service,” Sherrill said. “He had his made-up bone spurs that his dad’s doctor wrote a note for him so he could get out of service. He thinks people who serve are suckers and losers.”
The governor’s comments reference long-standing controversies from Trump’s past, including his Vietnam-era draft deferments and a reported 2018 remark, denied by Trump, in which he allegedly called fallen service members “suckers” and “losers.”
Sherrill then turned her attention to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom Trump appointed to lead the Pentagon. She argued that Hegseth’s nomination and performance reflect the president’s disregard for the military institution.
“And certainly I think you see that reflected in Pete Hegseth, the person he put in charge of our military, someone completely unqualified,” Sherrill said. “Credible allegations of sexual assault and harassment failed at every job he had. This is what he thinks of our military, putting this person in charge of it, who has not only failed at every previous job that he’s taken, but now is failing at a really key role that’s impacting the safety and security of Americans. It’s impacting people who serve.”
A Veteran’s Perspective
Sherrill, who served as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy and later worked as a federal prosecutor, has made her military background a central part of her political identity. She has endorsed a slate of fellow veterans running for Congress this cycle, arguing that their service instills qualities of dedication and courage.
Burnett had quoted Sherrill’s earlier statement that sending veterans to Congress means “sending in dedicated public servants trained to run toward the fight and unafraid to take on the status quo.” The question was whether those same qualities were evident in the current administration.
Sherrill’s answer drew a stark contrast between the veterans she supports and the president she opposes, framing the 2026 midterms as a choice between those who understand sacrifice and those who, in her view, only pay lip service to it.
Political Reactions
The remarks are likely to reignite debates over Trump’s relationship with the military community, a topic that has been a recurring flashpoint in American politics. Trump has frequently touted his administration’s support for veterans and military spending, but critics have pointed to his draft history and reported comments as evidence of a deeper animus.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, faced a contentious confirmation process amid allegations of misconduct, which he has denied. His tenure at the Pentagon has been marked by controversy, including policy shifts and personnel changes that have drawn bipartisan criticism.
Sherrill’s comments come at a time when military issues are expected to play a prominent role in the upcoming elections. With her endorsements of veterans across the country, she is positioning herself as a leading voice for a bloc that could prove pivotal in battleground districts.
The White House has not yet responded to Sherrill’s remarks. Trump and his allies have often dismissed such criticisms as partisan attacks, pointing to his record of military funding and veterans’ health care initiatives.
As the political battle lines harden, Sherrill’s forceful language signals that Democrats intend to make the administration’s handling of the military and its leadership a central campaign issue.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/09/02/nj-gov-sherrill-trump-despises-military-service/