WASHINGTONPOST.COM | In Trump’s final days, a 30-year-old aide purges officials seen as insufficiently loyal
- esther17376
- Jul 21
- 1 min read

NOV 14, 2020 — In the chaotic weeks after the 2020 election, John McEntee led one of the most aggressive personnel efforts in modern White House history. From the Pentagon to climate science offices to USAID, he moved swiftly to remove appointees seen as disloyal and elevate staff aligned with President Trump’s agenda. This piece captures the intensity and precision of McEntee’s endgame: clearing roadblocks, locking in late-term wins, and reshaping the federal bureaucracy on the way out the door.


