The gloves are off for Trump now. He’s done playing games with the political class.
And this secret Donald Trump document has all of Washington, D.C. panicking.
Trump’s Draft Executive Order Could Shake Up Military Leadership
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office again, his transition team is reportedly working on a bold executive order aimed at shaking up the upper echelons of the U.S. military. According to The Wall Street Journal, the draft order would establish a “warrior board” consisting of retired generals and noncommissioned officers with the power to evaluate the performance of senior military officers. This new review body would focus on identifying three- and four-star officers “lacking in requisite leadership qualities” and recommend their removal, potentially accelerating the firing process.
The draft order, if signed by President Trump after his inauguration, could significantly alter the leadership structure of the Department of Defense. It would empower the warrior board to scrutinize generals and admirals, and, in some cases, remove them if they fail to meet certain standards.
This proposal aligns with Trump’s long-standing criticism of what he calls “woke generals” — those military leaders he believes have prioritized diversity and political correctness over military readiness and leadership. Under Trump’s vision, any officer deemed unfit could be purged swiftly, bypassing the Pentagon’s traditional promotion and retirement systems.
One key element of the draft order is its potential to bypass the usual military channels. If the warrior board identifies an officer for removal, the recommendation would be sent to the White House, and the officer could be retired at their current rank within 30 days. This accelerated process would allow Trump, as Commander-in-Chief, to act swiftly and decisively to reshape the military leadership, potentially removing officials he believes have failed in their duties or undermined his agenda.
BREAKING: The Trump transition team is considering a draft executive order that establishes a “warrior board” of retired senior military personnel with the power to review three- and four-star officers and to recommend removals of any deemed unfit for leadership – WSJ pic.twitter.com/EHpI1XAxZG
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 12, 2024
Although the order’s full details remain somewhat vague, it outlines a review process focused on “leadership capability, strategic readiness, and commitment to military excellence.” However, it stops short of specifying the precise metrics or criteria that would determine whether an officer meets these standards.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign declined to comment on the specifics of the draft order but underscored that “the American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail. He will deliver.” This statement reinforces Trump’s clear commitment to his campaign promises, including the push for military reform and the removal of officers he believes have failed to uphold the values of the American people.
The proposal reflects Trump’s long-standing frustration with military leaders whom he perceives as disloyal or ineffective. One notable target of Trump’s ire has been former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley. Trump has repeatedly criticized Milley for his actions in the final days of the Trump administration, particularly after reports revealed that Milley had reached out to Chinese officials to reassure them about U.S. military actions.
In a September 2023 statement, Trump condemned Milley’s actions as “treasonous,” going so far as to say that in earlier times, such an act “would have been DEATH!” He suggested that Milley’s actions could have led to a war with China.
On the campaign trail, Trump reiterated his stance, promising to eliminate what he describes as “woke” military leadership. He even floated the idea of a task force to monitor and root out these “woke generals,” further emphasizing his desire to prioritize traditional military values over progressive or liberal policies that have gained traction in recent years.
If Trump moves forward with the executive order, it would represent a significant step in his broader effort to reshape the military leadership in line with his vision for the future of the armed forces. By creating a board with the power to quickly identify and remove senior officers, Trump aims to ensure that military leaders are aligned with his priorities — prioritizing strength, loyalty, and operational effectiveness over ideological concerns.
For those who believe the military has become too politicized, this proposed executive order offers a glimmer of hope that the Pentagon might be purged of leadership that does not align with the mission of defending American values and interests. However, critics may argue that the move could create a climate of fear among military officers and disrupt the stability of the armed forces at a time of rising global tensions.
Regardless of the debate, one thing is clear: Trump is determined to make good on his promises to reform the military, and this draft executive order represents a key part of his plan to do so.
The Conservative Column will keep our readers updated on any developments to this story.
