Former president Donald Trump's return to the White House brings immediate changes to key administrative positions across federal agencies.
According to National Review, Trump has initiated a comprehensive dismissal of over 1,000 Biden-era appointees, beginning with four high-profile removals, including retired general Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
The dismissals occurred following Trump's inauguration ceremonies and multiple executive order signings on Monday. The president announced the personnel changes through a Truth Social post early Tuesday morning, emphasizing his administration's commitment to identifying and removing appointees who don't align with his "Make America Great Again" vision.
The Pentagon promptly removed Milley's official portrait within two hours of Trump taking office, reportedly following White House orders.
This action came shortly after former president Biden's preemptive pardon of Milley for any potential offenses under U.S. law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice from January 2014 to January 2025.
Milley's relationship with Trump deteriorated significantly following the January 6 Capitol riot. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff made his position clear in his statement prior to the 2024 election. Trump shared his dismissal message on social media, saying:
My 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.
The tensions between Milley and Republicans intensified during his tenure, particularly regarding his stance on progressive social initiatives in military academies. During a notable congressional testimony in 2021, Milley stated:
I want to understand white rage, and I'm white. What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America? What is wrong with having some situational understanding about the country we are here to defend?
The president's dismissal notices extended beyond Milley to include José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, Brian Hook, former Iran special envoy, and Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta mayor. Each held positions on various presidential advisory boards and councils.
Andrés, who served on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, had already submitted his resignation the previous week as his two-year term concluded. He expressed well wishes for the incoming administration's health initiatives.
The administration is preparing to launch its Make America Healthy Again campaign, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominated Health and Human Services secretary, expected to lead the initiative. This marks a significant shift in healthcare policy direction under the new administration.
The extensive personnel changes reflect Trump's broader strategy to reshape federal advisory boards and councils. These dismissals affect multiple sectors, from infrastructure security to public health and international relations.
Biden's preemptive pardons for key officials, including Milley, highlight the anticipated tensions between the incoming administration and former government leaders. The protective measure ensures these officials cannot face legal repercussions for their actions during specified timeframes.
The personnel changes mark the beginning of significant administrative restructuring, with more changes expected as Trump's Presidential Personnel Office continues its review of Biden-era appointees.
