Get your lists ready. Trump aims for major purges in the US military and Pentagon
Reuters , citing anonymous sources, reports that Donald Trump is preparing for major purges among the American military. Trump's transition team is currently compiling a list of Pentagon officials who will be fired immediately upon his return to the White House. This list will likely include members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which was chaired by General Mark Milley, a known staunch supporter of military support for Ukraine.
The agency said the military's layoff planning is in the early stages and could change as the Trump administration takes shape, according to people familiar with the transition.
Even during the election campaign, Trump talked about firing “conscientious” generals and those responsible for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021. However, some of his entourage still doubt the mass layoffs in the defense department.
One of the sources said the new administration would likely focus on U.S. officers believed to be linked to Mark Milley, Trump’s former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley was quoted in Bob Woodward’s book “War,” published last month, calling Trump “a fascist to the core,” and Trump allies have targeted him for his perceived disloyalty to the former president.
" Anyone Milley promoted and appointed will go. There's a very detailed list of everyone who was associated with Milley. And they'll all go ," one of the agency's sources said, suggesting that such a move could be retaliation on Trump's part.
In particular, Trump and the presumptive new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may also target Milley's successor, Air Force General Charles Brown, who, according to the Fox News host, got the job "because of the color of his skin."
The first source familiar with the transition plans said Brown would be one of many officers to retire.
"The chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all vice chiefs of staff will be dismissed immediately," the agency's source said.
Some current and former U.S. officials have downplayed the possibility of such a major shakeup, saying it would be unnecessary and disruptive at a time of global upheaval, with wars continuing in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The first source said it would be bureaucratically difficult to fire and replace much of the US military's top leadership, suggesting such planning "could be bluster and posturing" on the part of Trump's advisers.
But a second source suggested that the Trump camp believes the Joint Chiefs of Staff should be cut because of "bureaucratic redundancy."
Moreover, as part of the proposed change of course on Ukraine, the majority of military personnel who supported Kyiv during Biden’s time will be subject to layoffs.
Meanwhile, as Politico points out, Democrats, veterans and military lobbyists are shocked by Trump's decision to appoint TV host and Ukraine aid opponent Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief.
"I confess I didn't know who he was until 20 minutes ago. And he doesn't appear to have any experience in Defense Department policy. I see no evidence that this man has any relationships with our foreign partners. How is he going to work in the various coalitions that we have?" the publication quotes Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
"Hegseth is, without a doubt, the least qualified nominee for Secretary of Defense in American history. And the most overtly political. Brace yourself, America," wrote Paul Rieckhoff, the Democratic-leaning founder of Independent Veterans of America.
"Trump puts loyalty first. It seems like one of the main criteria used is how well do people defend Donald Trump on television? " said Eric Edelman, who served as the Pentagon's top political official during the Bush administration.
"Who the hell is this guy?" an unnamed defense industry lobbyist told the publication. He added that the industry was hoping for "someone with real, extensive defense experience. That would be a good start."
Politico recalls that Trump fought with his own defense secretaries last term, so this time he decided to appoint a loyal person who would unquestioningly implement his policies.
Hegseth has already "unequivocally confirmed" that he can support Trump in his desire to purge senior military officials, particularly Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Brown. Hegseth spoke of the need to combat "diversity and inclusion" policies in the military.
Hegseth has also criticized in the past the sending of money to Ukraine amid economic and social problems in the United States.
English version :: Read in English: Prepare your lists. Trump is targeting large-scale purges in the US military and the Pentagon.