José Andrés, Linda Fagan and Other High-Profile Appointees Among Those Dismissed

On the first day of his presidency, Donald Trump wasted no time in asserting his control over the White House, announcing that his Presidential Personnel Office was in the process of identifying and removing individuals from Joe Biden’s administration. Among those dismissed were notable figures, including celebrity chef José Andrés, US Coast Guard Commandant Adm Linda Fagan, and retired General Mark Milley, who had been a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social account, President Trump declared that the appointees being removed were not in alignment with his vision to “Make America Great Again.” He emphasised that over a thousand positions would be filled with individuals who share his ideals, with further announcements expected in the days and weeks ahead.

Trump specifically named the individuals being let go, including José Andrés from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, as well as Brian Hook and Keisha Lance Bottoms. “YOU’RE FIRED!” Trump wrote, marking a clear break with the previous administration.

General Milley, who had served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s first term, had recently been the recipient of a pre-emptive pardon from President Biden, just hours before the latter left office. This pardon was not an admission of guilt, Biden clarified, emphasising that it was a gesture of gratitude for Milley’s long service. In a statement, Milley expressed his appreciation for the pardon, stating that after 43 years of service, he wished to avoid unnecessary conflict and distractions.

José Andrés, a renowned chef and philanthropist, was appointed by President Biden in 2022 to co-chair the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. However, despite his efforts in humanitarian work through World Central Kitchen, which provides meals during crises, Andrés has been a vocal critic of Trump’s policies. His removal from the council is part of the broader purge of appointees initiated by the new president.

Lawsuit Filed Right After Trump’s Inauguration Questions the Legitimacy of the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’

A legal challenge has been filed within moments of Donald Trump’s inauguration, questioning the validity of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge) led by Elon Musk. The 30-page lawsuit, acquired by The Washington Post, argues that this newly formed government advisory committee infringes on federal transparency laws. The suit contends that Doge, which Trump claims to have established, does not adhere to essential regulations regarding public disclosure, hiring processes, and operational transparency.

The National Security Counselors, a public interest law firm, asserts that Doge qualifies as a “federal advisory committee”, a designation that demands balanced representation and public accessibility to its meetings. The lawsuit stresses that all meetings, even those held electronically, must be open to public observation, as required by federal law. However, the committee has yet to fulfill these obligations, with records of its activities reportedly kept secret.

Doge, which has already hired numerous staffers working from SpaceX’s Washington, DC office, communicates primarily through encrypted apps like Signal. The project, led by Musk and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to reduce government inefficiency by cutting down on programs and personnel, though Ramaswamy is expected to step away from the initiative in light of his gubernatorial campaign in Ohio. Reports suggest that Musk has grown dissatisfied with Ramaswamy’s level of involvement in the project, which seeks to overhaul several government agencies and processes.

The legal controversy surrounding Doge is anticipated, with Musk himself acknowledging the potential for “lawfare” tactics to be used against him. While the precise scope of the initiative remains unclear, it is described as an advisory committee with no direct authority to implement government changes on its own.

As per reports from the New York Times, those involved with Doge, including Musk and Ramaswamy, will not receive compensation for their roles and are classified as “special government employees” under federal regulations. The initiative is not intended to be incorporated as an external entity but rather functions as an informal collective, loyal to Musk’s leadership and vision.

Prospective hires for the project include prominent Silicon Valley figures such as Marc Andreessen, Shaun Maguire, and Baris Akis. However, critics, like Sam Hammond, Senior Economist at the Foundation for American Innovation, argue that Doge does not fulfil the legal criteria to be considered a federal advisory committee. Hammond suggests that Doge is, in reality, more of a branding exercise for Trump’s broader reform agenda.

Key departures from historical customs mark this year’s events

Since George Washington’s first inauguration in 1789, traditions like the oath of office and inaugural address have been fundamental to the US presidential transition. However, long-held customs have faced disruptions in recent years.

Four years ago, Republican Donald Trump became the first outgoing president in over 150 years to skip his successor’s inauguration, citing unsubstantiated claims about election fraud. In 2025, Trump will return to the White House ceremonially on 20 January, the constitutionally mandated date for the presidential inauguration.

Democrats have highlighted the contrast between this year’s orderly power transfer and the chaos of 2021, marked by the Capitol riot. Yet, they too are departing from some traditions in smaller but notable ways.

Michelle Obama and Other Key Figures Decline Attendance
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has announced she will not attend the 47th president’s inauguration alongside her husband, Barack Obama, on Monday. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also stated she will skip the ceremony, with other Democrats potentially following suit, though no organised boycott has been planned, unlike the one for Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.

The Obamas provided no explanation for the decision, which comes shortly after Michelle Obama’s absence from Jimmy Carter’s funeral. Her husband attended, interacting with Trump, while other living former first ladies were present. Michelle Obama had attended both inaugurations since leaving the White House, including Trump’s in 2017, which she later criticised for its lack of diversity.

Outgoing Vice President Harris Skips VP Residence Meeting
Traditionally, the outgoing vice president hosts their successor at the VP’s residence. However, sources report that Kamala Harris has not extended this invitation to JD Vance. The Harris team has cited her focus on responding to catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles as a reason for the omission.

This break with tradition mirrors the 2021 transition when Harris took over from Mike Pence amid political tensions. The Harris team denied receiving an invitation from Pence, which his team claims was discreetly offered.

Biden forgoes a Farewell Press Conference
President Joe Biden is unlikely to hold a final press conference, a tradition upheld by presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama but ignored by Trump in 2020.

Biden’s administration has defended his media interactions, pointing to a recent address and a scheduled interview with MSNBC. However, Biden has held fewer press conferences than any president in decades, averaging only 9.4 annually, according to the American Presidency Project.

For insights into US politics, Anthony Zurcher breaks down key developments in his US Election Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can subscribe here, while international audiences can join here.