Is the Pentagon Facing a “Personnel Earthquake” After the US Defense Secretary Was Fired? _Sina News

Original title: After the firing of the Secretary of Defense of the United States, did the Pentagon face a “earthquake of personnel”?

　　Recently, current President Trump fired US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. After that, the “personal earthquake” cloud engulfed the Pentagon.

　　On November 10 local time, the day after Trump announced Esper’s firing on Twitter, several senior Pentagon officials submitted their resignations. According to the statement from the United States Department of Defense, the resignation takes effect immediately.

　　There have been many personnel changes in a short period of time, which has made Pentagon officials nervous and uncomfortable. Military and civilian officials have become increasingly vigilant. They are very worried about what will happen next.

　　According to the “Washington Post” report, analysts noted that Trump is trying to “expel” from the federal government officials who are generally considered unfaithful to him, and thus “clear the way” for Trump to re-implement certain policies opposed by the Ministry of Defense.

　　What top officials have left?

　　According to CNN, on the issue of the structure of top civilian officials in the Defense Department, the Trump administration has completely “reformed” them and has reappointed several officials considered “loyal to the president.”

　　So far, four high-ranking Defense Department officials have been fired or resigned, including Defense Secretary Esper, Under Secretary of Defense James Anderson, Under Secretary for Intelligence Affairs Joseph Kernan and Esper Chief of Staff Jan Stewart .

　　According to a statement from the United States Department of Defense, on the morning of November 10, local time, Anderson presented a letter of resignation to Trump, effective immediately. Anderson wrote in a farewell letter to all Department of Defense officials: “I know that no matter how the future unfolds, our team will persevere. I encourage everyone to focus on their tasks and not politicize the Department of Defense. No forget our oath when we take office. “

　　In 2018, Anderson began his tenure at the Pentagon. He served as undersecretary of the Department of Defense for Strategy, Planning and Capacity. After the last defense policy leader, John Rhodes, was fired by the Trump administration due to political differences, Anderson served as a defender. Vice Minister of Ministerial Policy.

　　The reason for Anderson’s resignation is yet to be known, but people familiar with the matter revealed that Anderson had a conflict with officials from the White House Personnel Office before leaving, and later submitted his resignation.

　　It’s worth noting that Anderson wasn’t the only senior official to leave that day. According to the Defense Ministry statement, Kernan had planned to leave a few months ago.

　　Kernan wrote in his farewell letter: “I thank you all for your dedication to our country and thank you all for your personal support over the past three years. My family and I have already planned this departure. But we will continue to work hard.”

　　In addition, Esper’s chief of staff, Stewart, also tendered his resignation on November 10 local time.

　　Newly appointed Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller said in a statement: “I want to thank Anderson, Kernan and Stewart for their services to the country and the Department of Defense. In their careers, they have all made great contributions to the future of national defense, and I wish them all the best in the upcoming job. “

　　What officials have been “given important tasks”?

　　According to the US political news website Politico, Anderson’s successor is retired US Army Brigadier General Anthony Tata. Before serving in the Trump administration, he was a commentator for Fox News and a leading Trump supporter. Currently, Tata has been appointed Deputy Minister of National Defense Policy, but the controversy surrounding him continues.

　　Tata has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration’s policies, tweeting that former US President Barack Obama is a “terrorist leader.” In addition, Tata also mocked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and shared an article “full of conspiracy theories.”

　　In April this year, Trump originally hoped to nominate Tata as an undersecretary of the Department of Defense, but due to multiple scrutiny of Tata’s inappropriate comments on social media, the Senate hearing confirming his role as deputy minister was canceled.

　　According to politician, as one of the top Pentagon officials, the undersecretary for politics is the top adviser to the secretary of defense. You will work with the secretary of defense to formulate national security and defense-related policies. These topics include nuclear deterrence, missile defense systems, and global withdrawal issues, etc.

　　At the same time, the officials who succeeded Stewart were also “controversial.”

　　According to a statement from the Defense Ministry, Kash Patel will become the acting secretary of defense’s chief of staff. In February 2019, Patel served on the National Security Council and was subsequently appointed the Senior Counterterrorism Officer of the National Security Council. Currently, Patel is in charge of counter-terrorism affairs in the White House.

　　According to sources, Patel tried to prevent the “Tong Russia Gate” from conducting investigations and played an important role in the Trump administration.

　　Kernan, who had previously planned to leave, was replaced by Sla Cohen Watnik, who served for former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

　　According to the National Broadcasting Corporation, Trump’s “loyal subordinates” began assuming senior positions in the Defense Department following Trump’s firing of Esper and the successive departure of three top Defense Department officials.

　　The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Democrat Adam Smith said successive departures by three top officials indicate that the US Department of Defense is being “sabotaged” and should awaken the vigilance of all Americans. Smith emphasized that “Trump and his loyal subordinates are sowing the seeds of chaos and division. Currently, the Pentagon appears to be in chaos.”

　　What impact will Trump’s “confidant” have as a top Defense Department official?

　　A Defense Ministry official said it appears that we have already finished the “beheading operation.” CNN explained that the “beheading operation” described by this official refers to the expulsion of several senior civil officials, including Esper.

　　However, this move may cause chaos within the Pentagon. Defense officials are increasingly concerned that firing senior Department of Defense officials during the government transition period could have a negative impact on US national security. .

　　According to CNN, since Trump was elected president of the United States, senior federal government officials have been grappling with his unpredictable decisions, but with the holding of the United States general election, this uncertainty is increasing dramatically.

　　The source believes that after Esper was fired by Trump, the White House is focusing on dealing with the remaining members of Esper’s team, and the Trump administration may take action or work with Esper and his team to postpone the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan. related.

　　On October 7 local time, Trump tweeted that US troops stationed in Afghanistan should be withdrawn to the United States before Christmas this year, but the Department of Defense did not express its “approval” and said there are no specific details for complete withdrawal in the short term. plan.

　　Currently, Pentagon military and civilian officials are concerned that the Trump administration is trying to “clear the way” to allow it to re-implement certain policies opposed by the Department of Defense, including the deployment of service troops. active in quelling protests and demonstrations, and pulling US troops out of Afghanistan before Christmas. Evacuation, etc.

　　Zhang Jiadong, a professor at the Center for American Studies at Fudan University and vice president of the Shanghai Society for International Strategic Affairs, said that in the past presidential elections, a president who wins re-election or a new appointment will replace the senior officials of the federal government, but a president who does not seek reelection generally does not. Take that move. Trump has replaced many top officials at this stage and the specific reasons cannot be confirmed.

　　Zhang Jiadong stressed that Trump’s removal of Defense Secretary Esper may cause chaos within the Pentagon. During the turbulent period of government transition, Trump needs to “create” some chaos to seek reelection. The US media reports of Trump’s attempt to “clear the way” during his tenure, to some extent, are more in line with Trump’s personal style. However, it should be noted that the impact of personnel transfers within the Ministry of National Defense remains to be observed.

　　Text / Yazhuo

Editor in charge: Lai Liuhua SN244