In a decisive move on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump announced the termination of four prominent presidential appointees from the previous administration.
This action underscores his intent to realign the federal workforce with his “Make America Great Again” vision.
High-Profile Dismissals
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, President Trump took to Truth Social to declare the removal of:
- José Andrés: The renowned chef and humanitarian was dismissed from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, had previously questioned Trump’s policies and was reportedly considering a future in politics. In response to his firing, Andrés noted that his term had already concluded and highlighted his achievements during his tenure.
- Gen. Mark Milley (Ret.): Formerly the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Milley was removed from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Milley had been a vocal critic of Trump, at times labeling him as “a total fascist” and “the most dangerous person to this country.” Notably, his portrait at the Pentagon was taken down less than two weeks after it was displayed.
- Brian Hook: The former Special Envoy for Iran, who served under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Trump’s first term, was dismissed from the Wilson Center for Scholars. Hook was known for his hawkish stance on Iran and support for the administration’s sanctions.
- Keisha Lance Bottoms: The former Mayor of Atlanta and senior adviser on Joe Biden’s re-election campaign was removed from the President’s Export Council. Lance Bottoms had decided against running for a second term as mayor and had been an active participant in national politics.
A Broader Purge
President Trump’s late-night post indicated that these firings were just the beginning. He stated, “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.” This mass dismissal aims to reshape the federal workforce to better align with the administration’s priorities.
Implications for National Security
In a related move, President Trump signed an executive order revoking the security detail of 50 former senior national security officials, including John Bolton, his former National Security Adviser.
Bolton, who had been under 24/7 protection due to credible threats from Iran, expressed disappointment, stating that the threat against him “remains today.” This decision has raised concerns about the safety of former officials who have been critical of the administration.
Summary of Firings
| Name | Position Removed From | Notable Background |
|---|---|---|
| José Andrés | President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition | Renowned chef and humanitarian; founder of World Central Kitchen |
| Gen. Mark Milley (Ret.) | National Infrastructure Advisory Council | Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; vocal Trump critic |
| Brian Hook | Wilson Center for Scholars | Former Special Envoy for Iran; supported sanctions on Iran |
| Keisha Lance Bottoms | President’s Export Council | Former Mayor of Atlanta; senior adviser on Biden’s re-election campaign |
President Trump’s swift actions on his first day back in office signal a determined effort to overhaul the federal workforce and remove individuals perceived as not aligning with his administration’s goals.
These high-profile firings and the broader purge of over 1,000 appointees underscore a commitment to reshaping the executive branch to reflect the President’s vision for the nation.
