Washington: Pentagon officials are engaging in preliminary discussions about the Department of Defense's (DoD) approach if former President Donald Trump issues directives to deploy active-duty troops domestically or make sweeping changes to nonpartisan staff roles, defense officials said.

Trump has previously expressed openness to using active-duty forces for domestic matters such as law enforcement and large-scale deportations. Additionally, he has indicated plans to bring in loyalists to key federal roles and remove what he refers to as "corrupt actors" within the U.S. national security apparatus.

During Trump’s previous term, he had a challenging relationship with many senior military leaders, including retired General Mark Milley, who reportedly took steps to limit Trump's ability to exercise control over nuclear weapons. Trump has frequently criticized U.S. military leaders, labeling them as “woke,” “weak,” and “ineffective.”

As preparations are underway, Pentagon officials are examining multiple scenarios for potential changes within the department. “We are all preparing and planning for the worst-case scenario, but the reality is that we don’t know how this is going to play out yet,” a defense official said.

Trump’s return has also raised concerns within the Pentagon about the implications of potentially unlawful orders, particularly if political appointees do not intervene. “Troops are compelled by law to disobey unlawful orders,” a defense official said. “But the question is what happens then – do we see resignations from senior military leaders? Or would they view that as abandoning their people?”

It remains unclear who Trump might select to lead the Pentagon if he assumes office again, though officials believe his team may try to avoid the strained relationship seen in his previous administration. “The relationship between the White House and the DoD was really, really bad,” shared a former defense official with insight into Trump’s first term. “It’s a priority now as they consider appointments for the DoD.”

In addition, defense officials are identifying civilian employees who may be affected if Trump reinstates Schedule F, an executive order initially introduced in 2020. If reactivated, Schedule F would reclassify a large number of nonpolitical, career federal employees, making it easier to terminate their employment.

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