US President Donald Trump began his administration’s personnel overhaul on Tuesday, firing four senior officials appointed by his predecessor and warning that “over a thousand more” could soon be removed. In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined his plan to purge officials he believes are out of step with his vision to “Make America Great Again.”
“My Presidential Personnel Office is actively identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration who are not aligned with our goals,” Trump wrote.
The four individuals dismissed included: 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. Trump issued a blunt warning in his post: “Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon.”
The message was signed off with a signature flourish: “YOU’RE FIRED!” – a nod to Trump’s catchphrase from his time as the star of The Apprentice.
The announcement marks the beginning of a significant shake-up within the federal government, with many agencies bracing for further upheaval. Trump has previously vowed to slash the civil service and restructure government operations, including the potential closure of entire departments, as part of his broader agenda to streamline Washington and boost efficiency.
