Trump fires prominent critics – even a general has to go

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Lerato Khumalo

“You’re fired”

Trump fires first high-ranking officials

Updated on January 21, 2025 – 1:36 p.mReading time: 2 minutes

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Donald Trump signs a decree: The new US President fired several officials on his first day at work.

Donald Trump fired several high-ranking officials on Monday evening. Those affected include prominent critics and officials previously appointed by Joe Biden.

As of Monday evening, Donald Trump is officially the 47th President of the United States. During the election campaign, the right-wing populist announced that he would have several thousand undesirable civil servants removed from public service as quickly as possible. Trump followed up his words with actions on Tuesday night – and immediately fired several high-ranking employees. “You are fired,” Trump wrote in a post on his short message service Truth Social, in which he announced the details.

General had to go first Mark Milley take off his hat. The change was announced because Milley’s portrait was taken down in the Pentagon shortly after Trump was sworn in. Milley formerly headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff but retired in 2023. However, he was still a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, a position Trump has now relieved him of. The general had sharply criticized Trump during the election campaign and warned against a second term in office, describing him as a “fascist through and through.”

Also the Spaniard Jose Andres had to take off his hat. The chef and founder of the NGO World Central Kitchen served on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Andrés had publicly positioned himself against Trump.

The former US special representative for Iran and member of the Wilson Center for Scholars also had to leave. Brian Hook. He was fired because he was still appointed by Joe Biden and does not agree with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” doctrine.

The same applies to Keisha Lance Bottoms. The former Atlanta mayor and member of the President’s Export Council was also fired due to her appointment by the previous administration and lack of alignment with Trump’s vision.