With President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the Pentagon is looking to make a “calm, orderly, and professional transition” to the new administration.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed troops about readiness in a memo on Wednesday as President Joe Biden prepares to hand over control of the Defense Department to the incoming second Trump administration.
“Our fellow citizens have elected the next President of the United States,” Austin wrote. “As it always has, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next Commander in Chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command.”
Update: U.S. War Secretary General Lloyd Austin has sent out a memo to troops where he said the US military was committed to an orderly transition to the Trump administration, adding that the military would not get involved in politics and was ready to carry out “all lawful… pic.twitter.com/bgMKZY8g5j
— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) November 7, 2024
The US military will continue to “provide for the common Defense,” according to Austin who cited the U.S. Constitution.
“The U.S. military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security,” he wrote.
“You are not just any military,” Austin added. “You are the United States military — the finest fighting force on Earth — and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution, and the rights of all of our citizens.”
(Video Credit: Associated Press)
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters in a press briefing that steps are underway to facilitate the transition of power at the White House.
“In terms of outreach to the Trump team, we’re coordinating everything right now with the White House and the [General Services Administration],” she said.
“There [are] certain agreements that need to be signed and put into place before we can start the transition process,” Singh added. “But, regardless, we are committed to a professional, effective transition for the incoming administration.”
She was asked about Austin’s message and claims that the incoming administration would employ troops domestically.
“I think it’s important to remember that the military is apolitical; and as it says in [Austin’s] memo to the force, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next commander in chief and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command,” Singh responded.
Media and leftist critics of the president-elect have fearmongered about his comments in a Fox News interview with Maria Bartiromo, claiming he said he would use the military against those protesting his presidency. Not surprisingly, Trump said no such thing, and his comments, taken out of context, came after Bartiromo asked if he was “expecting chaos on Election Day” if he won.
“I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within—not even the people that have come in and destroyed our country, by the way, totally destroying our country. The towns, the villages, they’re being inundated. But I don’t think they’re the problem in terms of Election Day,” Trump replied.
“I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think they’re the—and it should be very easily handled by—if necessary, by [the] National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military, because they can’t let that happen,” he said.
Lol, the entire “war department” has an expiration date. 1/20/2025 at noon to be exact. pic.twitter.com/MCYcyhXQcj
— TrumpVictoryTroll (@James8707726415) November 8, 2024
Social media users seemed to have questions about Austin’s memo as well, with many wondering why there was a need for a memo when the transition occurs every four years.
why does this require a memo?
— George (@GeorgeE10404) November 7, 2024
Were they “unlawful” before?
— Rosetta Atchley (@RosettaAtchley5) November 7, 2024
Is this indicator that we might go into war before transition ? Or am I missing something?
— Madhulatha (@Madhula73460014) November 7, 2024
Accent on “lawful.”
— Jeffrey M. Leatherwood (@The_Rockin_Prof) November 8, 2024
This shouldn’t need to be said. It demonstrates how broken everything is currently.
— Super Squirrel (@EmptyMyTrash) November 8, 2024
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