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A large number of Pentagon officials resigned Tuesday, a day after President Trump
Donald John TrumpPence to attend GOP Senate lunch on Tuesday Biden’s transition team to consider legal action over agency transition delays: reports Trump campaign lawyers worried about pushing lawsuits that could undermine the elections sacked Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, prompting a reshuffle of the Department of Defense leadership.
The new resignations have come from senior Pentagon politician James Anderson, the agency’s senior intelligence official Joseph Kernan and Esper’s chief of staff Jen Stewart. All three submitted letters announcing their resignations, effective immediately.
“I want to thank Dr. Anderson, Admiral Kernan and Jen Stewart for their service to the nation and to the department,” Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said in a statement. “During their careers, each has made a significant contribution to national defense and to the future of the Department of Defense. We wish them the best in their next endeavors. “
The quick exits, which come a day after Trump sacked Esper via Twitter, have raised fears that the administration is seeking to quickly fill the Pentagon with loyalists who can help push forward the executive’s controversial actions within about 70 days. before Trump left the White House. .
Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Adam smith
David (Adam) Adam SmithNight Defense: Trump Sacks Defense Chief Mark Esper | Concerns grow over post-election rudderless Pentagon | Esper hints at broader post-election upheaval | Pelosi says Esper’s dismissal shows Trump intends to wreak ‘havoc’ Democratic lawmakers slam Trump over Esper’s dismissal as GOP remains mum Trump sack Defense Chief Mark Esper MORE (D-Wash.) Said Tuesday that it is “hard to overestimate how dangerous the turnover of senior staff in the Defense Department is during a period of presidential transition.”
The resignations “could mark the beginning of a process of eviscerating the DoD – something that should alarm all Americans,” Smith said in a statement issued after Anderson left.
“As soon as former Vice President Biden became President-elect Biden, President Trump and his followers began to sow chaos and division. It seems chaos has now reached the Pentagon.
Smith also sounded the alarm over the replacement of Anderson, the retired brigadier. General Anthony Tata, Trump’s controversial candidate for the post.
Tata, a frequent Fox News commentator, was forced this summer to remove his name from consideration for the Pentagon’s main political position when his previous Islamophobic tweets resurfaced. In the tweets, Tata called Obama a “terrorist leader” and a “Manchurian candidate”, and called Islam “the most oppressive violent religion that I know of.”
He was, however, appointed Assistant Deputy Secretary for Policy at the end of July after his confirmation hearing was canceled.
“If this is the start of a trend – with the President firing or expelling national security professionals in order to replace them with people perceived to be more loyal to him – then the next 70 days will be precarious at best and downright dangerous at best. worse, ”Smith said.
“This confirms what I have been saying for months: the president’s singular obsession with loyalty has severely undermined the competence of our government and made us less secure,” he added.
The other two vacant DOD positions were also quickly filled on Tuesday.
Kernan, a retired Navy vice-admiral, had planned to step down for several months, according to the Pentagon. He was replaced by Ezra Cohen-Watnick, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict.
And Stewart was replaced by Kash Patel, currently a member of the staff of the National Security Council. Patel will now be Miller’s chief of staff.
Further resignations are expected in the days and weeks to come.
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