Washington (CNN) Days before President Donald Trump is due to speak to graduates at the United States Military Academy, a group of graduates have issued their own message to the class of 2020 outlining concerns that "fellow graduates serving in senior-level, public positions" are undermining the credibility of an apolitical military and betraying their "commitment to Duty, Honor, Country." Pointing to "weak" and "self-serving leaders who emphasize loyalty over duty," the group wrote that leaders who focus on pleasing their commanders and advancing their own careers "is not just a problem, it's a disgrace." West Point graduates occupy prominent roles in the Trump administration, including Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his two closest aides at the agency, Brian Bulatao and Ulrich Brechbuhl. "When fellow graduates fail to respect the checks and balances of government, promote individual power above country, or prize loyalty to individuals over the ideals expressed in the Constitution, it is a travesty to their oath of office," the post said. The post, on the site Medium , was shared and signed by "Concerned Members of the Long Gray Line," a coalition of several hundred West Point alumni from six decades of graduating classes "who collectively served across ten presidential administrations."

Source: CNN June 11, 2020 19:07 UTC