White House arming itself with former military leaders

Donald Trump’s habit of appointing military men — James Mattis, HR McMaster, and John Kelly are in situ; Mike Flynn has left — may dilute civilian oversight, says Peter Apps. 

When White House budget chief, Mick Mulvaney, was asked why US President, Donald Trump, had appointed former marine officer, John Kelly, as chief of staff, Mulvaney had a simple explanation. “You know that he enjoys working with generals,” he said.

Within this rambunctious, idiosyncratic presidency, only former military leaders appear able to operate, survive, and even thrive in the Trump administration.