Over the past four years, Joe Biden has consistently emphasized the importance of the peaceful transfer of power, presenting himself as a guardian of democracy. However, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, questions are emerging about whether his transition will be smooth—or fraught with unprecedented resistance.
Despite securing a decisive mandate to lead, Trump faces signs of resistance within the federal government, particularly from the Pentagon. His ambitious plans for sweeping reform have seemingly triggered a defensive response from what many refer to as the “Deep State.”
Alarmingly, this opposition isn’t just emanating from mid-level bureaucrats but from top Biden administration officials. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a thinly veiled comment, recently urged military personnel to adhere only to “lawful orders,” an unusual move that has sparked speculation about its intent.
Throughout his first term, Trump frequently clashed with his military leadership. Many top generals openly resisted his directives, earning praise in certain media circles for defying their commander-in-chief.
One of the most infamous incidents involved General Mark Milley, who allegedly instructed subordinates to disregard orders from Trump following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This act, described by critics as insubordination, highlighted the tensions between Trump and the military hierarchy.
Looking ahead to his second term, Trump has announced significant reforms to ensure greater alignment between military leadership and his administration’s goals. He has tapped Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department, a move aimed at addressing what Trump refers to as a “woke” culture in the military. Hegseth’s primary task: purge the military bureaucracy of ideologically opposed generals.
Trump has also pledged bold actions, including using the military to deport illegal immigrants on a massive scale. Additionally, he has hinted at deploying troops to restore domestic order, targeting what he calls “the enemy within.” While presidents can legally invoke the Insurrection Act for such actions, critics have decried these plans as authoritarian overreach, branding Trump a “fascist” in some circles.
Trump’s proposed reforms have already stirred significant unease within the Pentagon. Reports indicate that military leaders are holding “informal discussions” about how to counter Trump’s agenda. CNN quoted one unnamed official emphasizing the military’s legal obligation to disobey “unlawful orders.” This rhetoric has only deepened concerns about the potential for friction between the civilian leadership and military command.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a staunch Trump ally, has openly criticized these rumblings of resistance. Cotton, who previously supported Trump’s call to deploy troops during the George Floyd protests, took particular aim at Defense Secretary Austin. In a pointed letter, Cotton accused Austin of making “baseless” insinuations that Trump’s commands would breach the law.
“It appears that partisans and obstructionists inside the Department of Defense are laying groundwork to defy or circumvent President Trump’s plans for both military and civil-service reform,” Cotton wrote. “These actions undermine civilian control of the military and our constitutional structure of government.”
In his letter to Austin, Cotton expressed concern about the Pentagon’s reported actions while reiterating his confidence in Trump’s constitutional authority as commander-in-chief. He emphasized that any attempts to obstruct Trump’s agenda would ultimately fail.
“I have to observe that these actions and reports only prove the need for reform and fundamental change at the Department of Defense,” Cotton stated. “And, of course, while inappropriate and annoying, these tactics are also useless because no action by the outgoing administration can limit the incoming president’s constitutional authority.”
Trump’s plans for a second term are already sparking fierce debate, with his supporters praising his boldness and critics warning of potential authoritarianism. The apparent resistance from within the Pentagon, if true, would represent a profound challenge to the foundational principle of civilian control of the military.
As the January inauguration draws nearer, all eyes are on whether the Biden administration, which once prided itself on championing democratic norms, will live up to its own calls for a peaceful transfer of power. The stakes are undeniably high, with the potential to reshape not just the military but the very fabric of governance in the United States.
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