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Donald Trump says “You’re Fired!” to thousands of federal employees

President Trump has taken the gloves off. He’s taking an axe to the corrupt establishment.

Because Donald Trump just told thousands of federal employees “You’re Fired!” in big announcement.

Trump Moves to Dismiss Over 1,000 Biden-Era Appointees, Including General Mark Milley

On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump took decisive steps to remove more than 1,000 appointees from the previous administration. This sweeping move includes the dismissal of several high-profile individuals, most notably retired General Mark Milley. In an early morning post on Truth Social, Trump shared his administration’s plan, stating, “My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again.”

This announcement was made shortly after the new president had concluded a busy inauguration day, which included attending formal ceremonies, signing multiple executive orders, and celebrating with three inaugural balls well into the evening. Among the first to be dismissed was General Mark Milley, who had been serving on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

This council plays a key role in advising the president on how to enhance the security of critical infrastructure sectors. Milley, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Biden, was one of nearly 30 members on the council. Milley’s firing signals a sharp break from his previous ties to the Trump administration, a relationship that soured in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riot.

Before stepping down, former President Joe Biden had granted Milley a pardon for any offenses committed against the U.S. under the law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice during the period between January 1, 2014, and January 20, 2025. This move was made to protect Milley from any potential retribution by the incoming administration. In his departure, Milley expressed gratitude for the pardon, acknowledging that it alleviated concerns about any potential revenge from Trump or his allies.

Milley had once been a loyal figure in the Trump administration but became a vocal critic following the Capitol riot. In the months following the incident, Milley continued to distance himself from the Republican Party and openly criticized Trump. In fact, just weeks before the 2024 election, Milley called Trump a “total fascist,” describing him as “the most dangerous person to this country.” Milley’s public criticisms have earned him ire from many Republicans, particularly for his support of progressive social causes during his time as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

One notable controversy came in 2021 when Milley defended the inclusion of critical race theory in U.S. military academies. He argued for the importance of understanding racial dynamics, telling Congress, “I want to understand white rage, and I’m white.” Milley’s remarks were made in response to questions about the motivations of those involved in the January 6 riot, which was predominantly carried out by white Americans. “What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America?” Milley asked. “What is wrong with having some situational understanding about the country we are here to defend?”

In a dramatic move, the Pentagon removed Milley’s official portrait within hours of Trump’s swearing-in. The portrait, which had been recently displayed at the Pentagon, was ordered to be taken down by the White House, signaling a clear break from the former general.

Milley's new portrait in the Pentagon lasted 10 days…

The Trump administration is not playing games… pic.twitter.com/m8EpdlATbd

— John LeFevre (@JohnLeFevre) January 20, 2025

In addition to Milley, Trump served formal dismissal notices to several other Biden-era appointees. These included José Andrés, the celebrity chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, who had been serving on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition; Brian Hook, who had served as special envoy for Iran during Trump’s first term and was also a trustee of the Wilson Center for Scholars; and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, who had been a member of the President’s Export Council.

Trump’s announcement was marked with his signature phrase, “YOU’RE FIRED!” which he had famously used on his reality TV show The Apprentice. The dismissals come as part of Trump’s very real effort to reshape the federal landscape and align it with his administration’s priorities.

José Andrés, whose two-year term on the President’s Council had already ended, responded to his dismissal with grace. He clarified that he had already submitted his resignation the week prior. “I hope the president exercises his presidential authority so the Council can continue to advocate for fitness and good health for all Americans,” Andrés said, expressing his desire for the work of the council to continue despite the leadership changes.

With Trump’s focus on reshaping the federal government and promoting his “Make America Great Again” agenda, it’s expected that his new administration will also launch initiatives aimed at revitalizing public health. One key figure in this effort is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is expected to spearhead what is being dubbed the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which will likely become a cornerstone of Trump’s domestic policy going forward.

The removals of over 1,000 appointees from the Biden administration signal that President Trump is eager to implement his vision for the country and reshape the federal workforce to better reflect his priorities. As his administration takes shape, more changes are expected in the coming weeks and months.

The second Trump administration has had one of the busiest first 24-48 hours of any Presidential administration in modern history. Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, of which include the departure of the United States from the Paris Climate Change accords, the U.S. departure from the World Health Organization, the establishment of a federal precedence for binary gender and protection for women in women’s sports, and a whole host of border security orders.