Members of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team are reportedly working on plans to remove several high-ranking military officers, including the possibility of firing the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This would represent an unprecedented shakeup at the Pentagon, occurring early after Trump's election win on November 5, according to two sources familiar with the transition. These individuals, who requested anonymity, suggested that the list of potential firings may evolve as Trump’s administration takes shape.
While some questions remain about the feasibility of such a large-scale purge at the Pentagon, one source noted that the plan might ultimately be less drastic. It was also unclear if Trump would approve of this approach, though his criticism of defense leaders, particularly those who criticized him during his presidency, has been well-documented. Trump has also mentioned firing "woke" generals and those he blames for the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The second source indicated that the incoming administration would likely target military officers closely aligned with Mark Milley, Trump's former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley has been a contentious figure for Trump’s supporters, particularly after he described Trump as "fascist to the core" in Bob Woodward’s book *War*.
Trump's allies have criticized Milley for his perceived disloyalty. According to the second source, anyone who was appointed or promoted by Milley would likely be removed from their positions.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is made up of the highest-ranking officers in the U.S. military, including the heads of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard, and Space Force. The discussions of these potential firings came just a day after Trump nominated Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and military veteran, as his defense secretary.
Hegseth has been vocal about his desire to overhaul Pentagon leadership, arguing that many senior leaders need to be replaced to better prepare the military for future challenges.
Hegseth has also criticized Air Force General C.Q. Brown, Milley’s successor, suggesting that Brown’s appointment may have been influenced by race rather than merit. The first source indicated that Brown would likely be one of the first to be dismissed under Trump’s plan.
Some U.S. officials have questioned the practicality of such an extensive purge, especially given the global instability, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. They argue that such a drastic reshuffling could cause unnecessary disruption.
However, others within the Trump camp believe that the Joint Chiefs are bloated and that a reduction in their numbers could be beneficial. They point to past instances, such as World War II, when the military swiftly promoted competent leaders, which they argue contributed to victory in the war.
Comments
Post a Comment