Posted on 01/13/2017 9:30:14 AM PST by RoosterRedux
The head of the D.C. National Guard, Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, said Friday that he has been ordered removed from his command effective Jan. 20, 12:01 p.m., just as Donald Trump is sworn in as president.
Schwartz’s forced departure will come in the midst of the presidential inauguration that he has spent months helping plan alongside D.C. police, the U.S. Secret Service and other top District officials. He will turn over command to an interim as power transfers from one president to the next, and just before the inaugural parade marches down Pennsylvania Avenue.
“The timing is extremely unusual,” Schwartz said in an interview Friday morning, confirming a memo announcing his ouster that was obtained by The Washington Post. During the inauguration, Schwartz would command not only the members of the D.C. guard but also an additional 5,000 troops sent in from across the country to help. He also would oversee military air support protecting the nation’s capital during the inauguration.
“My troops will be on the street,” Schwartz, 65, said. “I’ll see them off but I won’t be able to welcome them back to the armory.” He said that he would “never plan to leave a mission in the middle of a battle.”
Schwartz said he would oversee duties in a command center and then depart at 12:01 p.m., retiring from the Army.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Thanks.
This is a relief of a commander. Ordered by a superior commander, as you say, Mattis. In battle (however you define it) even in the middle of a battle, you relieve a commander in whom you do not have confidence. More will come out, but I’m thinking the DC commander of the USANG has been a political tool.
Thoughts?
No, all Obama appointees are not automatically out of a job the moment Obama is out. Provide a source for that. Unless they are replaced or fired by the incoming, they remain.
The other person out and making the media rounds is the 113 year old announcer, who said he thought of suicide upon learning Trump fired him!
That was my thought (see post above)
Very possibly.
His announcement is indicative that he want's to immunize himself from responsibility for events after noon January 20.
This is a relief of a commander. Ordered by a superior commander, as you say, Mattis.
General Mattis has no command authority. He could not order the removal/relief of this General.
Such wonderful reporting - NOT. The 800 lb gorilla is “who ordered this?”
All this is, an email was sent out weeks ago, informing those appointed will need to resign and out of office by noon, unless something has been worked out with the transition team.
Perhaps this is an oversight or the transition team believes the interim person is fine.
DD is correct!
A senior Trump transition official said there was no ill will in the move, describing it as a simple matter of ensuring that Mr. Obama’s overseas appointees leave the government on schedule, just as thousands of political aides at the White House and in federal agencies must do.
This general is a political appointee by the president and serves at the wish of the president.
I’m afraid this isn’t a timing issue, it’s a trust issue. Or confidence. The 1201 time means it is being ordered by SECDEF. I trust him more than any other leader in the Pentagon for the past 8 years. You should to.
Yes, it is the new administration. Otherwise the relief from command order would be countermanded at 1202.
Trust these new guys. Distrust the old order. That’s my thought.
Speaking from the POV of a 20-year veteran of the Army.
But does that automatically include a commanding general in the middle of a major security operation with thousands of troops and expected attempts to disrupt the inauguration? It seems peculiar.
Everybody unless arrangements have been made with the transition team.
Thanks for the post. Just as I thought. This guy is an over-promoted REMF.
One of Obama’s political tools.
Buh-Bye.
Who’s in charge of the National Guard in D.C.?
Not sure why he got fired - a Republican appointed him -— Abe Lincoln.
“It has to be Obama’s doing. “
0bama can’t do anything at 12:01. If he wanted to do it he would do it now.
But Schwartz said he wasn’t told why he was being forced to step down. It wasn’t his decision
Trump wants someone in charge who wont be afraid to break the communist/anarchist protesters heads.
Shows he is SERIOUS about dealing with these degenerate animals once and for all.
Law and Order baby!!!!
One thing I noticed about Schwartz was during his briefing about DC preparations, he kept repeating over and over about a peaceful transition to power.
This was never mentioned in 2008 with Obama during the DC preparations.
He would make me nervous as well with that type of repeated statement, almost like he is inviting something to happen. I bet it pissed Trump and Gen. Mattis.
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