The transition US President-elect Donald Trump's team is preparing lists of Pentagon officials who could be removed after the Republican takes office, Reuters reported, citing its sources.
According to them, among the first who could lose his post after Trump's inauguration on January 20 is the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, General Charles Brown. Also expected to be fired are officers linked to former US Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley, who took office during the Republican's first term in September 2019 and left in September 2023 under the current administration. Milley has previously repeatedly criticized Trump's policies.
Reuters sources noted that "many employees" will be removed from their duties. At the same time, former and current US officials emphasize to the agency that a "big cast" is unlikely, as it is not necessary and would disrupt the Pentagon's activities against the background of the Ukrainian crisis and the escalation of the Middle East conflict.
Earlier, Trump's transition team released a statement in which the US president-elect proposed American TV host and ex-military Pete Hegseth for the post of Pentagon chief. He is an Army veteran, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth also worked as a Fox News anchor for eight years. Lloyd Austin currently holds the post of Secretary of Defense.