In the 24 hours after President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday, three other top civilian leaders at the Pentagon quit or were ousted, replaced by Trump loyalists with controversial pasts. The "apparent purge" ushered in "hardcore MAGA-ites" at the top level of the Defense Department, Spencer Ackerman reports at The Daily Beast, and "it is currently unknown what mandate the new loyalists have at the Pentagon with over two months remaining in the Trump administration."
The lame-duck change in leadership has "put officials inside the Pentagon on edge and fueled a growing sense of alarm among military and civilian officials, who are concerned about what could come next," USA Today reports. "This is scary, it's very unsettling," one defense official told CNN. "These are dictator moves." Another senior defense official added "it appears we are done with the beheadings for now," at least at the Pentagon.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrandIn the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your moneyRachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
-
Why Māori are protesting in New ZealandA controversial bill has ignited a 'flashpoint in race relations' as opponents claim it will undermine the rights of Indigenous people
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
-
Cuba's energy crisisThe Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
-
Putin's fixation with shamansUnder the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseasesUnder the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi GrasThe Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 MarchPuzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary voteSpeed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
