Members of US president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team are drawing up a list of military officers to be fired, potentially to include the Joint Chiefs of Staff, two sources said, in what would be an unprecedented shake-up at the Pentagon.
Advertisement
The planning for the firings is at an early stage after Trump’s November 5 election victory and could change as Trump’s administration takes shape, said the sources, who are familiar with the Trump transition and requested anonymity to speak candidly about the plans.
One of the sources questioned the feasibility of a mass firing at the Pentagon. It was also unclear if Trump himself would endorse the plan, although in the past he has railed extensively against defence leaders who have criticised him.
Trump has also spoken during the campaign of firing “woke” generals and those responsible for the troubled 2021 pull-out from Afghanistan.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Advertisement
The second source said the incoming administration would likely focus on US military officers seen as connected to Mark Milley, Trump’s former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.