Trump says no to dropping Confederate fort names

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would not consider renaming military installations named for Confederate leaders after his defense and Army secretaries signaled they would be willing to discuss the issue this week.

“These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage, and a history of Winning, Victory, and Freedom. The United States of America trained and deployed our HEROES on these Hallowed Grounds, and won two World Wars,” Trump tweeted. “Therefore, my Administration will not even consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military Installations.”

Trump did not address the issue of Confederate generals, but rather focused on the legacy of the facilities themselves.

“Our history as the Greatest Nation in the World will not be tampered with. Respect our Military!” he said.

Trump’s tweet exposes a widening rift between the White House and the Pentagon. The Army has 10 posts named after Confederate generals, including Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

On Tuesday, the Navy announced that the chief of naval operations plans to ban display of the Confederate battle flag from public work spaces on bases, ships, aircraft and submarines. The Marine Corps banned the display of the Confederate battle flag.

Aides had predicted the president would oppose the renaming, saying it smacked too much of “political correctness.”