Civilians and the Military Under Trump

In the wake of retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn’s resignation as National Security Advisor on Monday over his communications with the Russian Ambassador to the U.S., President Donald Trump is considering three former military officers to replace Flynn. This follows a notable pattern of the new president’s reliance on retired military personnel in top national security positions.

In addition to Flynn’s replacement, Marine General John Kelly now serves as Secretary of Homeland Security, and General James Mattis was confirmed as Secretary of Defense after receiving a special congressional waiver due to his retirement from the Marine Corps less than seven years ago. Taken together, these appointments make for one of the most military-heavy cabinets since President Ulysses S. Grant.