In a comprehensive action this week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin blocked hundreds of members from serving on various Pentagon advisory boards – including several nominees who were nominated by former President Trump, according to a report.
The change came after the process of approving Trump’s nominees to the councils was halted last week, The Wall Street Journal reported.
“Advisory councils have and will continue to play an important role in the formulation of public policies within [the Department of Defense], “Austin wrote to Pentagon leaders.” That said, our management responsibilities require that we continually evaluate to ensure that each advisory committee provides the appropriate amount today. “
CASA, SENADO APPROVES CIVIL WAIVER FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF BIDEN DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Associated Press)
Among those prevented from taking seats on the Pentagon boards were Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump’s campaign manager in 2016, and David Bossie, a former Trump campaign manager, the Journal reported.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich was also affected, Bloomberg News reported.
The action taken to eliminate Trump’s potential influence on the Pentagon councils, which takes effect on February 16, reflected a smaller scale action in January, when Biden government officials quickly purged President Trump’s allies from the Voice of America and the controlling agency that oversees the media.
BIDEN FIRES TRUMP – WORK ATTORNEY INDICATED ON THE SHEET WITH PRECEDENT
Another Trump ally quickly dismissed was Peter Robb, general counsel for the National Labor Relations Board, who was forced to leave just hours after Biden took office on January 20.
Having their appointments approved could have resulted in Lewandowski, Bossie, Gingrich and other Trump nominees having access to confidential government information, the report noted.
Board members are generally unpaid, but generally provide access to key employees, Bloomberg reported.
Advisory councils, including some dating back to the 1950s, were intended to be bipartisan so that the military could benefit from a range of political ideas, according to the Journal.
Those affected by the Austin directive include councils from Arlington National Cemetery, families of military personnel with special needs, the defense industrial base and other topics, the report said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Before President Trump stepped down, his interim defense secretary, Christopher Miller, acted similar to Austin’s, removing Pentagon advisers like former state secretaries Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger, ex-majority leader in the Chamber Eric Cantor, R-Va. And former US Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., Reported the Journal.
Austin plans to announce new board nominees in the coming weeks, according to the report.