Situation Report:
Trump Allies Call for Leaner Pentagon, Point to Milley as the First Cut
In a fiery discussion on reforming the Pentagon on Tuesday, WarRoom, including Steve Bannon, Mike Davis, and Eric Prince, call for significant downsizing of military leadership and bureaucracy. Their main target? General Mark Milley, former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Accusing Milley of exceeding his constitutional authority, they argue he should be held accountable as part of an overall "diet” the Pentagon needs to take on.
Milley’s Alleged Overreach: “A Dangerously Bloated Pentagon”
Steve Bannon argues that Milley’s actions, particularly his reported communications with Chinese officials from June 2020 to January 20, 2021, demonstrate how out of control Pentagon leadership has become. "We’re talking about a bloated Pentagon, more tail than teeth,” Bannon said. He emphasized that Milley, whom he called out for allegedly overstepping his authority, "needs to be the first cut” as part of a necessary "culling of senior ranks.”
Davis Calls for Milley’s Court Martial
Attorney Mike Davis, founder of Article 3 Project, further suggests that Milley should face a court-martial for his actions. Davis urged a full investigation into Milley’s conduct during the final months of the Trump administration when Milley was reportedly in contact with Chinese counterparts. “Recall Milley to active duty and let a military tribunal evaluate his actions,” Davis said. In his view, Milley’s role reflects the bloated nature of Pentagon leadership, where "bureaucrats” are seen as obstructing presidential authority.
Eric Prince: Pentagon’s Size Hurts Military Effectiveness
Eric Prince, former Navy SEAL and prominent defense contractor, underscored the inefficiency of the Pentagon’s current structure. “The Pentagon needs to go on a diet,” Prince declared. He pointed to a high ratio of bureaucratic positions relative to frontline combat forces, claiming this has led to inefficiencies and "no accountability.” Prince argued that Milley’s tenure exemplifies the Pentagon’s "bureaucratic bloat,” adding, "We need more teeth and fewer tails in the chain of command.”
Prince also criticized the Pentagon’s focus on social and environmental policies like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. "The Pentagon’s mission isn’t to go green or social-engineer,” he argued. "It’s to deter threats and, if necessary, to ‘slay the enemies of the United States.’”
Bannon and Davis: Obstruction from Within?
Both Bannon and Davis voiced concerns that parts of the government, including the Pentagon and Justice Department, are positioning themselves to resist Trump’s policies if he wins in 2024. Davis warned that bureaucrats should either follow the president’s lawful orders or leave their posts. “If you don’t want to follow the president’s order, resign,” he stated bluntly.
Reports indicate that some officials, including Pentagon lawyers, are reviewing Trump’s potential directives in advance to "Trump-proof” the agency. According to Bannon and Davis, this anticipation of obstruction could prevent Trump from implementing his agenda.
Reform Calls: “Start With Milley and Cut the Bureaucratic Blob”
Davis and Prince warned that some senior officials within the Pentagon are actively preparing to "Trump-proof” the agency against the former president’s policies should he win in 2024. According to reports, some military lawyers review orders in advance, seeking ways to resist or reinterpret directives if Trump returns to office. Bannon criticized these internal efforts as an attempt to obstruct a duly elected president.
When addressing these officials, Davis didn’t mince words: "If you don’t want to follow the president’s orders, then resign. The American people didn’t put you there to undermine their votes.”
Resources for this report: Bob Woodward reported in Oct that Milley feared being court-martialed if President Trump returned to power.
For more context about Tuesday’s WarRoom discussion:
Erik Prince On Mark Milley: “He Acknowledges That He Was In Contact With The Chinese Counterparts.”
