During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump boldly declared his intention to purge the U.S. military of what he termed “woke” generals and those responsible for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Now, reports indicate that Trump's transition team is meticulously compiling a list of military officers slated for dismissal, with the potential to include the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The focus appears to be on military leaders closely associated with Mark Milley, Trump’s former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has faced significant backlash for his characterization of Trump as “fascist to the core” in Bob Woodward’s book, War.

“Every single person that was elevated and appointed by Milley will be gone,” reveals an anonymous source, underscoring the sweeping changes anticipated within the military hierarchy.

And this potential upheaval comes on the heels of Trump appointing Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary.

Your Rundown for Wednesday, November 27, 2024...

Trump's Playing Chess, Not Checkers

Hegseth has been vocal about the need for a radical overhaul of Pentagon leadership, asserting in his own book, The War on Warriors, that “lots of people need to be fired.”

Despite these plans, some current and former officials have expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of such drastic changes, cautioning they could prove disruptive amid ongoing global conflicts.

Nonetheless, Trump seems resolute in fulfilling his drain-the-swamp promises.

His cabinet selections, for instance, appear to prioritize loyalty over experience, favoring allies who have steadfastly supported him through his presidency and legal challenges.

But what if Trump’s playing chess when his critics believe he’s playing checkers?

Donald Trump Jr. recently suggested that Trump has a list of “10 or 12 people for every position,” hinting at the expectation that many cabinet nominees will not survive Senate confirmations.

(Gaetz withdrew from consideration late last week, and similar pressures could force Hegseth to reconsider as well. In the interim, Trump has tapped Florida’s former AG Pam Bondi for Attorney General.)

• As Trump anticipates a tumultuous confirmation process, he is 1) preparing alternate candidates and 2) positioning those he ultimately wants in key roles.

In addition to his cabinet choices, Trump is looking to harness insights from unconventional advisors like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy through their initiative: the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

While some critics question why Musk and Ramaswamy were not appointed to cabinet positions, keeping them outside traditional political structures is crucial.

This approach allows them to provide unfiltered recommendations free from the entrenched interests often associated with Washington's so-called “deep state”... where few institutions are as entrenched as the Pentagon.

By seemingly rewarding loyalty in his appointments, while seeking counsel from unorthodox sources, Trump is gearing up for a confrontational governance style.

This strategy not only draws upon Trump's past experience as president but also lays the groundwork for transformative shifts in government operations — particularly within defense and national security sectors.

Market Rundown for Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024

S&P 500 futures are slightly in the red, hovering around 6,000.

Oil is up 0.75% to $69.29 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold is up 1% to $2,672.90 per ounce.

And Bitcoin is up 2.75%, just under $94K.