Billy Vaughn, father of fallen Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn, heaped praise upon President Trump for his efforts to disband the Obama era rules of engagement on the battlefield, freeing up military members on the ground to make their own decisions.
Aaron, who was remembered by his brothers-in-arms as a “tough warrior, gentle man,” received numerous awards during his military career, including a Purple Heart and a Defense Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for valor.
He was killed, along with 29 other Americans and 16 members of the elite Navy SEALs, when his chopper was shot down in Afghanistan in 2011. The attack caused the single largest loss of American life in the history of the SEALs.
Billy believes his son “might be alive today” if President Trump were able to implement his rules of engagement over former President Barack Obama’s.
Gold Star father Billy Vaughn discusses why new rules of engagement under @POTUS are saving military lives. @IngrahamAngle pic.twitter.com/h8eG5n0cNz
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 28, 2017
Vaughn explained that under Obama, helicopter pilots had a one-in-a-million chance of getting approval for “pre-assault fire” on enemy combatants from the Administration. Their hands were being tied by suits in Washington.
President Trump is being credited with decimating ISIS in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan in a short amount of time, thanks in part to lifting requirements on rules of engagement.
The former head of U.S. Air Force intelligence, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, placed the blame for not being able to eliminate ISIS over the previous several years squarely on President Obama.
“The rules of engagement under the Obama administration were onerous,” he explained. “The limitations that were put on actually resulted in greater civilian casualties.”
While their son was killed in Afghanistan thanks to the Obama Administration’s rules of engagement, the President had little time to address the situation with Billy and Karen Vaughn personally. He wrote them an electronically signed form letter regarding his death.
Karen and Billy Vaughn form letter after sons death
Obama’s electric pen pic.twitter.com/1UnYWnAyVA— Achmella (@mauser98k2) October 18, 2017
In 2014, the parents of Aaron Vaughn penned an open letter of disgust to President Obama for his lack of leadership in fighting terrorism.
“As Commander-in-Chief, your actions — or lack thereof — Mr. President, cost lives,” they wrote. “As you bumble about in your golf cart, slapping on a happy face and fist-pounding your buddies, your cowardly lack of leadership has left a gaping hole — not only in America’s security — but the security of the entire globe.”
They then suggested he resign.
“Your message has come across loud and clear, sir: You are not up to this job,” the Vaughns wrote. “You know it. We know it. The world knows it.”
Fortunately, President Trump is up to the job, and he’s changing the theater of war back to a level in which our military can finally defeat the enemy.
Who is a better commander-in-chief – Trump or Obama? Share your thoughts below!
