Consider This: Are Trump's Military Picks Based on Merit or Loyalty?
Podcast: Consider This from NPR
Host: Mary Louise Kelly
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of NPR’s Consider This, host Mary Louise Kelly delves into the significant shakeup within the Trump administration’s Department of Defense (DoD). Titled “Are Trump’s military picks based on merit or loyalty?”, the discussion centers around the recent dismissal of several high-ranking military officials and the implications of these changes for the U.S. military.
Toppling the Joint Chiefs: The Firing of General CQ Brown
The episode opens with Mary Louise Kelly recounting how Pete Hegseth, before being appointed by President Trump to lead the DoD, publicly criticized the existing military leadership. On the Sean Ryan Show podcast, Hegseth emphasized the need for substantial reforms within the armed forces.
Pete Hegseth: "There's a chance to course correct it, but it would take the new Trump administration going after it really hard."
— [00:11]
Hegseth specifically targeted General CQ Brown, the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arguing that Brown’s promotion was influenced by his race rather than merit. This stance culminated in the unprecedented firing of General Brown on a Friday night, marking the first time a chairman of the Joint Chiefs was dismissed before the end of their term.
Pete Hegseth: "There is civilian control of the military. Nothing about this is unprecedented. The president deserves to pick his key national security and military advisory team."
— [00:55]
Hegseth defended the dismissal by asserting the president's authority to select his national security team, despite acknowledging respect for Brown.
Democratic Concerns: Undermining Constitutional Loyalty
The episode highlights the Democratic response to these firings, focusing on Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Reed criticizes the Trump administration’s actions, suggesting they jeopardize the military's constitutional allegiance.
Frank Kendall: "I want everyone in DOD to be holding to the President, not to the Constitution."
— [01:05]
Reed questions the new leadership's capacity to "speak truth to power," emphasizing the importance of maintaining a military that upholds constitutional values over partisan loyalty.
Frank Kendall’s Analysis: The Impact of Political Loyalty
Mary Louise Kelly interviews retired Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to gain insights into the Pentagon’s restructuring. Kendall expresses concern over the manner in which top military officials are being replaced.
Frank Kendall: "I've never seen it done before quite this way. Normally, chiefs carry over from one administration to another very smoothly without... any interruption."
— [03:44]
Kendall underscores the traditionally apolitical nature of the U.S. military leadership, where transitions occur seamlessly, respecting career continuity and professional integrity.
Furthermore, Kendall critiques Hegseth’s rationale behind the dismissals, particularly the move to purge what Hegseth refers to as "woke stuff" from the Pentagon. Kendall finds the term vague and the intent unclear, suggesting that the real issue lies in the politicization of military roles.
Frank Kendall: "I don't really understand the connection, quite frankly. I also don't understand the obsessiveness about wokeness, whatever that is."
— [05:12]
He defends the Department of the Air Force’s prior efforts to address disparities without compromising performance or standards.
Frank Kendall: "We never lowered any of our standards about moving people into positions or promoting them or anything else that was competitively selected."
— [06:23]
Questioning Qualifications: The Appointment of Lt. Gen. Dan Kane
The Trump administration appointed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Kane as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, Kendall raises concerns about Kane’s qualifications compared to traditional appointees.
Frank Kendall: "I have no reason to say that he's not qualified except for the fact that he does not have the experience that is normally associated with that job."
— [06:45]
Kendall points out that typically, the chairman has extensive experience, often having served as a four-star general in a significant command role. He suggests that Kane lacks the customary background for such a high-profile position.
The Legal Purge: Removing Top Military Lawyers
In addition to the top military leadership, the Trump administration has removed several of the DoD’s top military lawyers (Judge Advocate Generals). Kendall highlights the gravity of this move, emphasizing the crucial role JAG officers play in maintaining lawful conduct within the military.
Frank Kendall: "They seem to want to have JAG officers who will say yes to whatever operational people want to do."
— [07:38]
He warns that eliminating these legal authorities could hinder the military’s ability to follow lawful orders and uphold the laws of armed conflict, posing a threat to both military discipline and legal integrity.
Meritocracy vs. Loyalty: The Core Debate
The central theme of the episode revolves around whether Trump's military appointments prioritize merit or political loyalty. The administration claims to promote a merit-based military, while critics argue it fosters a government reliant on loyalty rather than competence.
Mary Louise Kelly: "The Trump administration says it wants a military built on meritocracy. Critics say it's building one government governed by political loyalty."
— [01:39]
Kendall’s insights suggest that the rapid and politically charged changes within the DoD may undermine the professional, apolitical foundation that has traditionally characterized U.S. military leadership.
Conclusion
Mary Louise Kelly wraps up the episode by highlighting the unprecedented nature of the Trump administration’s actions within the Department of Defense. The removal of General CQ Brown, accompanied by other senior officials and top military lawyers, raises profound questions about the future direction of the U.S. military. Critics fear that these moves could erode the professional and constitutional allegiance that has long been a cornerstone of American military ethos.
Final Thought from Mary Louise Kelly:
"Consider this. From NPR, I'm Mary Louise Kelly."
This episode of Consider This provides a comprehensive examination of the Trump administration’s controversial military appointments, juxtaposing official statements with expert analysis to explore the delicate balance between meritocracy and political loyalty within the U.S. armed forces.