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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump Taps Point Man to Remove Pentagon Officials Seen as Disloyal
In another move aimed at consolidating control over policy and messaging, the Trump administration is sending a White House loyalist to serve in a key Defense Department policy role that officials are worried is aimed at weeding out civilians not loyal to the president, Foreign Policy has learned.
Michael Cutrone, who has been detailed as Vice President Mike Pences top national security aide for South Asia, is set to arrive at the Pentagon to serve in a behind-the-scenes role vetting Defense Department officials for loyalty to the president, according to two current administration officials.
Some officials fear that the arrival of Cutrone and other planned personnel moves at the Pentagon could undercut Defense Secretary Mark Esper as the White House has looked to put in place more defense officials loyal to the president, headlined by the reported pick of retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata as the agencys top policy official, who caught President Donald Trumps eye as a Fox News commentator.
Its becoming a bit of a purge, said Jim Townsend, a former Pentagon policy official during the Obama administration. He said that as the administration stacks the Pentagon with a fresh wave of appointees who may not have as much defense policy experience, it can create friction between them and the civil service and military staffers. That, in turn, can throw sand in the gears of the policymaking process. Some of these true believers
they might not know how to work with the bureaucracy, they might not know the issues as well, and theyre feeling the pressure from the bosses, he said.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/06/trump-pence-pentagon-point-man-disloyal/
LastDemocratInSC
(3,652 posts)and army units and aboard ships. They were the eyes and ears of the Party and enforced loyalty and adherence to the policies of the Party. They were always on the prowl and were universally disliked.
SoonerPride
(12,286 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Gee, ya think so, Jim Townsend? All these ideological tyros who don't know what they're doing, who are there only to make sure that Trump's latest whim is obeyed, and you think it can create friction with the folks there who know what they're doing?
That's a bold statement, Cotton.