In a stunning display of executive power, President Donald Trump has launched a far-reaching purge of the previous administration’s appointees, firing top military brass and activist figures within his first 24 hours back in the Oval Office. The shakeup, which targeted over a thousand presidential appointees, signals the beginning of a new era – but just how far will it go?
The First to Fall
Among the first casualties was Mark Milley, the retired Army general who served as the most senior uniformed officer at the Pentagon under both Trump and Biden. Once a key figure in Trump’s inner circle, Milley turned fiercely against the former president in recent years, even branding him a “total fascist.” In a move that surprised few, Trump promptly removed Milley from his role on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
Also ousted was celebrity chef and human rights activist José Andrés, known for his critical stance on Israel’s war in Gaza. Andrés, who served on the president’s council on sports, fitness, and nutrition, contradicted Trump’s claim that he had been fired, insisting that he had already resigned last week as his two-year term had ended.
A Thousand More to Go
But Milley and Andrés are just the tip of the iceberg. Trump announced that his administration is “actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand presidential appointees” from the Biden era, signaling a mass purge on an unprecedented scale. Among the other notable figures already let go are:
- Brian Hook – Trump’s former special envoy for Iran
- Keisha Lance Bottoms – former Atlanta mayor, removed from the president’s export council
Lingering Resentment
The mass firings hint at the simmering tensions and resentment that have lingered since Trump’s tumultuous first term. In particular, the dismissal of Milley, complete with the removal of his Pentagon portrait, underscores the depth of Trump’s bitterness over what he once decried as the general’s “treasonous act” in the wake of January 6th.
He is the most dangerous person ever. I had suspicions when I talked to you about his mental decline and so forth, but now I realize he’s a total fascist. He is now the most dangerous person to this country. A fascist to the core.
– Mark Milley on Donald Trump, as reported by Bob Woodward
A New Era Dawns
As the dust begins to settle on this initial wave of dismissals, all eyes now turn to what comes next. With over a thousand appointees still in the crosshairs, the scope and pace of Trump’s purge will be a defining feature of his early days back in power. Will he stop at replacing top figures, or will the reshuffling extend far deeper into the ranks of government? Only time will tell.
One thing, however, is certain: a new era has dawned in Washington. As the old guard is ushered out and a new cohort of loyalists ushered in, the nation watches with bated breath to see just how radically President Trump intends to reshape the political landscape. For better or worse, change is coming – and it starts with a purge.
