Trump Team Drafted Executive Order to Create Board to Fast-Track Removal of Generals

The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) reported on an executive order drafted by President-elect Trump's transition team that would establish a “warrior board” of retired military personnel with the power to recommend the removal of three and four-star generals. 

The Order: The order said it aims to review officers "on leadership capability, strategic readiness, and commitment to military excellence," though specific standards aren't named. The Wall Street Journal said, "As commander in chief, Trump can fire any officer at will, but an outside board whose members he appoints would bypass the Pentagon’s regular promotion system, signaling across the military that he intends to purge a number of generals and admirals." Adding, "The warrior board would be made up of retired generals and noncommissioned officers, who would send their recommendations to the president. Those identified for removal would be retired at their current rank within 30 days."

For Context: On the campaign trial, Trump said he would fire "woke generals." If signed, the order would fulfill that promise. 

How the Media Covered It: The Daily Beast (Left bias) framed it as a way for Trump to fire any generals he doesn't like, while a National Review (Right bias) writer said he fears returning to reporting practices "in which every proposed action by a Trump administration is written as a tectonic, norms-defying event without precedent or historic rationale. But the act of removing bad or distracted leaders is a tool as old as war itself."