Im trying to figure out the why and what does it gain them to quit. It's most likely virtue signalling by people who want to make a statement without having to make a statement. Every (or nearly every) top civilian pentagon official already has thirty years of government service to qualify for a government pension. The only way they'd lose it is if for some reason they'd be terminated for cause, which nearly never occurs.
They're also all at the top of the government pay scale, which given their top tier insider positions will only mean they'll triple their income by going lobbyist, thinktank or defense contractor. If they stuck around, their stock could be damaged as those places are riddled with the nevertrump resistance.
Finally, if you're looking to move up in an administration change, which is right now a likely possible outcome, It's a smart way of getting your name out there by making a "principled" stand by resigning. You take a few months off, then submit your resume to the Biden transition team for an appointment position. Remember also, if Biden comes into office, there's going to be a lot of unofficial racial quotas to make staff photographs seem "diverse". If you're a straight old white guy, you better have something else to bring to the table.
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