President Donald Trump has made significant changes to federal positions just days into his term.
After his inauguration as the 47th President, Donald Trump terminated the roles of retired General Mark Milley and celebrity chef Jose Andres, Washington Examiner reported.
On Tuesday morning, following his recent inauguration, President Trump initiated the removal of over a thousand appointees from the previous administration, including high-profile figures such as retired General Mark Milley and celebrity chef Jose Andres. These dismissals are part of a larger effort by President Trump's administration to realign federal roles with his goals and vision.
The Presidential Personnel Office, according to Trump, identifies and removes appointees from the former administration across various federal panels and councils to ensure alignment with the administration's policies.
Trump's intent to clean house was clearly articulated in his statement emphasizing the alignment necessary to further his ambition of making America great again. "Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again," he stated.
The administration removed retired General Mark Milley, previously the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump's first term, from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Milley sparked controversy near the end of Trump's first term and throughout the 2020 election cycle due to his public disagreement on the election's legitimacy and his assurances to Chinese officials about U.S. stability.
Reflecting on the election allegations, General Milley had described Trump’s claims as "without merit." Concerning international relations, he assured, "The American government is stable."
Celebrity chef Jose Andres, appointed by President Biden in 2022 to co-chair the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, also received notice of dismissal. Andres, renowned for his philanthropic efforts with World Central Kitchen, had previously clashed with Trump over several issues, including those stemming from a scrapped restaurant plan at Trump International Hotel influenced by Trump's immigration statements.
José Andres once criticized Trump's impact on societal divisions, mentioning in a 2019 Guardian interview, "[Trump] is not bringing out the best in all of us. He is bringing out the worst in some of us," he said.
Despite his criticisms, Andres displayed a blend of concern and hope for national unity in his final messages upon resigning earlier in the month:
"Hope @realdonaldtrump exercises his presidential authority so the Council can continue to advocate for fitness and good health for all Americans. These are bipartisan issues... nonpartisan issues,” and "May God give you the wisdom, Mr. President, to put politics and name-calling aside ... and instead lift the everyday people working to bring America together. Let’s build longer tables."
Observers view the dismissals of Milley and Andres as the start of a series of similar actions, as Trump solidifies control over key federal positions. This aggressive restructuring reflects his broader strategy of governance, emphasizing loyalty and alignment with his political ideology. Critics and supporters alike will closely monitor this policy as it unfolds, affecting not only the individuals involved but also the direction of various federal initiatives.
