by Brandon Tutt

I’m scared. I’m shaken to the core.

I don’t mean that figuratively. My hands are shaking and I have been pacing around ever since I’ve read this article: “U.S. military probing more possible civilian deaths in Yemen raid.” Here are the paragraphs that frighted me.

U.S. military officials told Reuters that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations.

As a result, three officials said, the attacking SEAL team found itself dropping onto a reinforced al Qaeda base defended by landmines, snipers, and a larger than expected contingent of heavily armed Islamist extremists.

The military officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said “a brutal firefight” killed Owens and at least 15 Yemeni women and children. One of the dead was the 8-year-old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, a militant killed by a 2011 U.S. drone strike.

“The decision was made … to leave it to the incoming administration, partly in the hope that more and better intelligence could be collected,” that official said.

Back in August the Commander-in-Chief said, “I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me.” It seems that he truly does believe that.

On the 13th day of his administration, he ordered a covert military strike “without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations.” I can’t read that in any way other then he went against the better judgment of his top military brass. Three military officials, in less than 24 hours, spoke against their superior officer’s judgment to the press. I’m not sure how often this is done about a highly covert operation, but I’m guessing it is rare.

This is on day 13. Day 13. We have 1446 days left in this administration. What if Trump never listens to any of his military commanders’ advice? What will the next week bring? What if Iran says something that rubs him the wrong way a month from now? What if Russia creates a “false flag operation” to deceive Trump into attacking China? What if…?

What if I’ll still be shaking this badly 1000 days from now?