President Donald Trump said he plans to purge over 1,000 Biden appointees from his administration.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The decision is part of the new president's overarching MAGA agenda to "drain the swamp" and destroy the "deep state." So far, that has included creating the new Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with cutting the federal budget, as well as implementing a hiring freeze for all federal civilian employees, per executive orders signed by Trump on his first day in office.
As part of this agenda, numerous Biden-era officials and individuals perceived as unsupportive of Trump are expected to be removed and replaced with members of Trump's inner circle or loyal allies. This follows Trump's warnings on the campaign trail about "enemies from within."
In addition, the president's plans include unraveling much of Joe Biden's legacy, with Trump having already rescinded 78 executive orders issued during Biden's tenure.
What to Know
Trump made the pledge in a post on Truth Social just hours after he was sworn in as president.
"Our first day in the White House is not over yet! 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," he wrote.
His post went on to single out four officials who were appointed by Biden, but he added that more firings were coming soon.
"Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon: Jose Andres from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars, and Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President's Export Council—YOU'RE FIRED!" Trump wrote.
Milley, who served as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023, was among those issued with a preemptive pardon before Biden left office on Monday. Trump has repeatedly spoken out against Milley since leaving office, accusing him of going behind his back to communicate with China during the final months of his first term, and once suggested that he deserved execution. Milley later called his former boss a "wannabe dictator" and "fascist to the core."
"No one has ever been as dangerous to this country as Donald Trump," Milley said, according to a 2024 book by journalist Bob Woodward.
Hook was also a previous ally of Trump, serving as his special envoy for Iran during his first term. It's unclear exactly why Trump axed Hook. He had been appointed to the Wilson Center for Scholars by Trump and was reportedly leading the president's transition to the State Department.
Newsweek has contacted Milley, Andres and Lance Bottoms for comment via email. Hook could not be reached for comment.
What Happens Next
It's currently unclear which other officials will be dismissed, or when this will happen.
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