ALBAWABA - According to The Times, the transition team of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has warned several Pentagon workers that their jobs might be in jeopardy in recent weeks. This action is seen as a component of Trump's plan to "purge" the Department of Defense, the British daily said.
According to the source, Laura Cooper, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, just resigned, which raises the possibility of other senior Pentagon personnel leaving. Cooper was instrumental in overseeing the U.S. military assistance program for Ukraine, which was started over three years ago in reaction to Russia's incursion.
U.S. presidential administrations often retain experienced civil service employees while replacing political appointments. However, according to military insiders quoted by The Times, Trump's transition team has called several Pentagon staff members to warn them about their job security.
According to one military source, Trump's campaign pledge to withdraw American forces from the conflict might be reflected in the dissolution of a Cooper-led unit that was in charge of organizing the coalition behind Ukraine.
The same source claims that the calls have stoked anxiety and shown that the new government values Trump allegiance above experience. According to the source, after Trump's inauguration on January 20, this strategy may result in major adjustments to the Pentagon's internal organization.
