Former CIA Director John BrennanJohn Owen BrennanEx-CIA Director Brennan: Trump ‘score settling’ with Pentagon changes 50 former intelligence officials warn NY Post story sounds like Russian disinformation Not treason, not a crime — but definitely a gross abuse of power MORE argued Friday that President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump: New York won’t receive COVID-19 vaccine immediately Biden considering Yellen as possible Treasury secretary: report Trump puts Giuliani in charge of election lawsuits: report MORE was “score settling” with recent personnel changes at the Pentagon.
His comments come amid concerns that the president is trying to fill the Pentagon with loyalists who can help push through controversial executive actions in the final weeks of Trump’s presidency.
The fears were sparked by the firing of Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperHaspel not in attendance at latest Trump intelligence briefing: reports Overnight Defense: Another Defense official resigns | Pentagon chief says military ‘remains strong’ despite purge | Top contender for Biden DOD secretary would be historic pick Ex-CIA Director Brennan: Trump ‘score settling’ with Pentagon changes MORE on Monday, and a series of resignations that quickly followed.
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“He wants people to be personally loyal to him,” Brennan said in an interview on CNN. “So therefore the firing of Mark Esper and the decapitating of civilian leadership within the Pentagon, I think clearly is score-settling on the part of Mr. Trump.”
Brennan, a vocal Trump critic, said that it wasn’t clear in his view if the president was trying to politicize the military, or if he’s thinking about doing something that could compromise national security before President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump: New York won’t receive COVID-19 vaccine immediately Biden considering Yellen as possible Treasury secretary: report Obama hits Trump for refusing to concede, says there’s ‘no legal basis’ for challenges MORE takes office.
“He still has the power of the presidency in his hands for the next 70 days,” Brennan said. “I’m hoping that people around him are counseling restraint so he does not engage in rash and reckless behavior, which he has unfortunately been known for.”
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Sources reportecly told CNN’s Jake TapperJacob (Jake) Paul TapperOvernight Defense: Another Defense official resigns | Pentagon chief says military ‘remains strong’ despite purge | Top contender for Biden DOD secretary would be historic pick Ex-CIA Director Brennan: Trump ‘score settling’ with Pentagon changes Defense deputy chief of staff latest Pentagon official to resign MORE on Monday that the White House had apparently focused on pushing out Esper’s undersecretaries after Esper and his team argued against withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller hired a senior adviser who frequently pushed for the immediate removal of troops from Afghanistan.
Brennan also said that he hopes Trump would not divulge national security secrets once he leaves office, but that it does worry him.
“I do worry,” he said, “about what Trump might do to enhance his personal, political or financial standing in the future.”
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