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AXIOS.COM | Trump's revenge

  • esther17376
  • Jul 21
  • 1 min read
A stylized image of Donald Trump in profile against a red background, with a layered silhouette of a man in a suit placing a hand over his heart superimposed on Trump’s figure. The graphic evokes themes of loyalty and control—central to John McEntee’s role in vetting officials and enforcing allegiance during Trump’s administration.

JUL 23, 2022 — Trump’s post-impeachment loyalty purge went from background buzz to full-blown bloodletting. Top Pentagon officials Kathryn Wheelbarger and Elaine McCusker were both ousted — not for failure, but for perceived disloyalty. The PPO, under McEntee’s command, made clear that proximity to figures like Mattis or McCain was a deal-breaker. As qualified insiders bailed, the Pentagon’s talent pool thinned, morale dipped, and a chilling message echoed through every federal agency: the only safe job is one held by a loyalist.


 
 

© 2025 John McEntee.

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