On his show Thursday afternoon, MSNBC host Martin Bashir angrily chastised Republican strategist Trey Hardin, accusing him of demeaning top U.S. general Martin Dempsey.

Hardin said that members of the military did not respect President Barack Obama and that leaders of other countries wanted Obama to win because he was weakening the United States. Bashir contested the accusations, accusing Hardin of having no proof to support his claims.

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Bashir noted later in the segment that Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, had warned against using a military uniform for partisan politics. He said it was important for soldiers to remain apolitical to “maintain our bond and trust with the American people.” Recently, group of ex-Navy SEALs and other retired officers have attacked Obama for allegedly leaking national security information.

“That’s a man no less than General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking on Fox News. The top U.S. military commander, so if these groups don’t pass muster with him, why should voters listen?” Bashir asked.

“First of all, he serves President Obama right now, so it’s not a surprising comment,” Hardin replied.

The comment sent Bashir into a flurry. The liberal MSNBC host accused Hardin of casting a “contemptuous aspersion” against Dempsey and repeatedly asked for Hardin to retract his statement before cutting him off entirely.

Watch video, courtesy of MSNBC, below:

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