Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: According to the sources, the plans for the removals are in the early stages following Trump’s election victory on November 5 and could change as the Trump administration takes office.
One of the sources questioned the feasibility of mass removals from the Pentagon. It is also unclear whether Trump himself would approve the plan, although he has lashed out at military leaders who have criticized him in the past.
Trump also talked about firing the generals who were responsible for the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan during his campaign. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The incoming administration is likely to focus on U.S. military officers who appear to be connected to Mark Milley, Trump’s former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a second source said.
Milley was quoted in Bob Woodward’s book “War,” published last month, as calling Trump a “fascist.” Trump’s allies have since targeted him for disloyalty to the former president.
“Anyone promoted or appointed by Milley will be eliminated,” the second source said. “There is a very detailed list of everyone who is connected to Milley, and they will all be gone,” the second source said.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military and includes the heads of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard and Space Force. The revelation of the plan to fire top leaders of the US armed forces comes a day after Trump nominated Fox News commentator and veteran Pete Hegsett as his pick for secretary of defense. Hegsett has expressed his desire to clean up the Pentagon.