Donald Trump: America’s newly elected President Donald Trump is in very active mode regarding his upcoming administrative plans. He has made many important appointments in his team and has started the retrenchment process even before taking charge. Especially his plan of strict action against military officers is in the headlines. Amidst the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, Trump’s transition team has prepared a list of military officers who are to be removed from the post.
According to sources, Trump’s “hitlist” includes two Joint Chiefs of Staff officials. The prominent name in this list is that of Mark Milley, who was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s first term. Mark Milley had criticized Trump in his recently published book War, in which he called Trump a fascist. According to Trump, action will be taken against Milli and her close relatives. Apart from this, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General CQ Brown can also be included in this list. Brown had openly raised his voice in support of the rights and equality of blacks, which may make his position sensitive in the Trump administration.
Pentagon response
There is speculation that Pentagon officials may have to undergo a loyalty test in Trump’s second term. Trump’s critics and officials who are not loyal to him can be fired. Current and former Pentagon officials believe that Trump’s punishment can fall only on those who have criticized Trump’s policies or questioned his loyalty.
Democrats’ reaction
Amidst speculation about this dismissal, Democrat Jack Reed, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has criticized Trump’s decisions. Reed says Trump’s actions could damage the structure of the US Defense Department and remove officials who stand up to protect the Constitution. He accused Trump of trying to fill the Pentagon with his loyalists, which could threaten national security.
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