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Several high-profile members of the U.S. Defense Policy Council have been removed by President Donald Trump, CNN television reported today. This is another purge of experts and figures from the national security system in the final days of the Trump era, three administration officials on condition of anonymity told the station.
Suddenly removed members include former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger.
Former high-ranking member of the House of Representatives intelligence committee Jane Harman and former majority leader in that legislature Eric Cantor, sources cited by CNN said.
The Defense Policy Board is an external advisory group of high-profile former national security officials who “provide the secretary and deputy secretary with independent, well-documented advice and opinion on military policy matters,” according to its website.
Also dismissed include former chief of naval operations, retired Admiral Gary Roughead, as well as JD Crouch II, former deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush (2001-2009).
After Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper earlier this month, the Pentagon made sweeping changes, replacing many of the leading figures, according to CNN, with individuals loyal to the president.
The move fueled alarm among military and civilian leaders who were concerned about what might happen next.
New appointments made by the ruler include retired general Anthony Tata, now a senior Defense Department official; Kash Patel, former aide to California Republican Devin Nunes, who is spearheading the transition from the Pentagon to Joe Biden’s incoming administration.
Ezra Cohen-Watnick was also appointed Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. / Latin Press
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