While National Security Agency General Timothy Ho did not appear to explain the reasons for his abrupt dismissal this week, a far-right activist calling on US President Donald Trump to get rid of him has put forward one theory: his alleged ties to retired Army general and Trump critic Mark Milley.
In an X post on Friday, conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer denounced Mr. Ho as “General Milley’s MOST CHOICE,” without providing any evidence. That set off a flurry of speculation among current and former Pentagon officials about who might be next, given the hundreds of people Mr. Milley interacted with during his four-decade military career.
Many current and former officials have expressed concern that Mr. Trump's inner circle could suspect any national security official of disloyalty because of their alleged ties to officials who have fallen out of favor, or simply because they held key positions during Joe Biden's presidency.
The former senior official said every four-star general should now be concerned about his future, questioning whether Loomer would go after other officials whose appointments or promotions might be linked to Mr. Milley, even if the connection was tenuous.
“I will be publishing more names of people who should not be in the Trump administration due to their questionable loyalties and past attacks on President Trump,” Loomer wrote in X.
Trump demands 'loyalty' from military
The military has long prided itself on being a nonpartisan enforcer of U.S. government policy. But Democratic lawmakers said the firings showed Mr. Trump was willing to replace apolitical troops with those loyal to him.
“He's sending a threatening message to all soldiers: Don't give your best military advice or you'll suffer the consequences,” said Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The firing of Mr. Ho, along with NSA Deputy Director Wendy Noble and at least 10 members of the White House National Security Council, was a landmark event in an unpredictable and potentially deepening purge of national security.
In recent weeks, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Brown, and other admirals, generals and security officials have been dismissed.
Military leaders in vulnerable position
If the ties to Mr. Milley are a litmus test for the loyalty of Mr. Trump's administration, as first reported by Reuters, many other leaders could be left vulnerable.
Among those promoted during Mr. Milley's tenure are Gen. Michael Kurilla, who commands American forces in the Middle East, and Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the head of American forces in Europe. Both are nearing retirement.
Two other potential targets are Gen. James Mingus, the Army's vice chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. James Work, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, officials said.
However, Mr. Milley would act only as an adviser on such promotions, which are decided by the president and the secretary of defense.
“Wannabe dictator”
Mr. Milley served as Mr. Trump’s top military adviser from 2019 to early 2021, before sharply breaking with him. At his 2023 retirement ceremony, Mr. Milley took a veiled dig at Mr. Trump, saying American soldiers swear an oath to the Constitution, not a “wannabe dictator.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
