In his campaign, Donald Trump promised to "cleanse" the military of so-called "woke" generals.
Changes for Defense Department
Now that he is president-elect, questions are surfacing at the Pentagon about whether he will go even further.
According to Digi24, Trump’s upcoming term could signal major changes for the Defense Department, as he is likely to prioritize loyalty among military leaders and replace officials he deems unsupportive.
During his first term, Trump clashed with Pentagon officials over issues like skepticism toward NATO and deploying the military to respond to domestic protests, according to Digi24.
Now, some officials fear he might aim to remove high-ranking officers who oppose his policies, particularly regarding cultural issues like diversity and inclusivity, which Trump has criticized as “woke.”
Speaking to Fox News in June, Trump said he would "fire woke generals," adding that the military should not tolerate such ideology.
Seen as a Target
There is also speculation about what Trump’s stance could mean for current military leaders, such as General C.Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Brown, a highly respected figure known for his advocacy for diversity, could be seen as a target under Trump’s approach.
Trump’s vice president-elect, J.D. Vance, previously voted against Brown’s appointment and has echoed Trump’s criticisms of perceived resistance within the Pentagon.
Experts warn that Trump’s plans could involve deploying troops in ways that might raise legal and ethical concerns, including using the military for immigration enforcement or domestic unrest.
Military officials are particularly cautious about how such moves could impact public perception of the U.S. armed forces, still one of the most respected institutions in America.
Outgoing Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized in a recent message that the military will follow all lawful orders from civilian leadership, though some worry about Trump’s broad interpretation of “lawful.”
Civilian staff at the Pentagon may also face pressure, as allies of Trump have discussed ways to replace nonpartisan employees with loyalists.
The potential for "loyalty tests" and large-scale replacements concerns officials, as career staff often bring specialized expertise. An anonymous defense official told Reuters that many employees are increasingly worried about their jobs under Trump’s second term.
