Trump administration removes senior defense officials and installs loyalists, triggering alarm at Pentagon

CNN ^ | November 10, 2020 | Barbara Starr, Zachary Cohen and Ryan Browne

[ransomnote]

Washington (CNN)The Trump administration has carried out sweeping changes atop the Defense Department's civilian leadership structure, removing several of its most senior officials and replacing them with perceived loyalists to the President.

The flurry of changes, announced by the Department of Defense in a statement roughly 24 hours after President Donald Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper, have put officials inside the Pentagon on edge and fueled a growing sense of alarm among military and civilian officials, who are concerned about what could come next.

Four senior civilian officials have been fired or have resigned since Monday, including Esper, his chief of staff and the top officials overseeing policy and intelligence. They were replaced by perceived Trump loyalists, including a controversial figure who promoted fringe conspiracy theories and called former President Barack Obama a terrorist.

A senior defense official told CNN late Tuesday that "it appears we are done with the beheadings for now," referring to the wave of ousted civilian leaders, including Esper.

 

Trump fires Secretary of Defense Mark Esper

 

But the moves will likely only add to the sense of chaos within the Pentagon following Trump's firing of Esper. The President jettisoned him two days after his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, was projected as the winner of the presidential election, a conclusion that Trump has refused to accept. Concerns are growing that a chaotic transition period could undermine national security.

While top officials have been dealing with Trump's unpredictable decision making since he took office, the current level of uncertainty has risen steadily since the election.

[ransomnote]

CNN hate "loyalists" and unless they are loyal to China.

[EvilCapitalist]

“Loyalists” means non-swamp creatures.

[Paladin2]

Has Trump shut down perfume sales within the Pentagon?

[mylife]

Who cares? I thought Joe was in charge now, what’s he gonna do? Start a war in 2 months?

[Jane Long]

POTUS going scorched Earth....before he goes scorched Earth :-)

[piasa]

They were OK with Obama’s loyalist General Ham and Hillary’s Admiral McRaven and Bill’s General Wesley Clarke.

[madison10]

The President is cleaning house. Getting rid of vermin and their odor.

[usafa92]

But when Al Gore dragged out Florida it was about the integrity of the election and of course never endangered national security.

[rightwingcrazy]

“chaos”

That must be the word of the month. It seems to be showing up in every MSM article about Trump.

[Grampa Dave]

Just, wait until the next 2 weeks are over re new Trump approved faces and names at all levels of government.

Then, you will see total panic with the mediots and left wing elites in our government.

[CaptainK]

Obama and Biden were setting up Trump and Gen. Flynn up until the minute they left the WH.

Trump can follow their precedent.

[lodi90]

Getting rid of road blocks to Afghanistan withdrawal would be my guess.

[piasa]

Obama was a terrorist supporter. He was even meeting with Hamas terrorists in December of 2016 AND SO WAS HIS BUDDY BRENNAN.

[thescourged1]

Go full animal, Mr. President, we’re behind you!

[Darksheare]

Considering the left recently was talking about a military coup removing Trump as part of a civil war...

[Abbeville Conservative]

Or loyal to Obama.

[piasa]

Who is the “controversial figure who called Obama a terrorist?”

[Responsibility2nd]

It is time for President Trump to go scorched earth throughout the swamp.

The DOJ and the FBI are seriously in need of flushing.

[Brandonmark]

Avoiding “Seven Days in May” scenario?