Mmm. The problem here isn't so much that the general was a threat as that we know very well that Trump might be doing this for entirely selfish reasons, in addition to practical ones perhaps, but at what balance.
The worse things get the better they get for his reelection chances. You know, go off fighting the Goths and when you come back the plebs will love you and what the Senate thinks will matter less, but you better make something happen while you still have an army to do your bidding.