In a comprehensive move this week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin banned hundreds of members from serving on various Pentagon advisory boards – including numerous nominees appointed by former President Trump.
The move came after the process for approving Trump’s nominees was halted last week, reports The Wall Street Journal.
‘Advisory councils have and will play an important role in shaping public policy within [the Department of Defense]”Austin wrote to Pentagon leaders.” That said, our responsibility for stewardship requires that we continually evaluate to ensure that every advisory committee today provides appropriate value. “
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Associated Press)
Among those blocked from taking seats on Pentagon boards were Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump campaign manager in 2016, and David Bossie, a former Trump deputy campaign manager, the Journal reported.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich has also been charged, Bloomberg News reported.
The action taken to eliminate Trump’s potential influence on the Pentagon boards, which takes effect on February 16, reflects a smaller scale in January when Biden administration officials quickly allied President Trump of the Voice of. America and the parenting agency that oversees. the news outlet.
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Another Trump ally who quickly came under scrutiny was Peter Robb, chief executive of the National Labor Relations Council, who was forced out hours after Biden took office on January 20.
If their nominations were approved, it could lead to Lewandowski, Bossie, Gingrich and other Trump nominees gaining access to classified government information, the report said.
The board members are usually not paid, but often provide access to key officials, Bloomberg reports.
The advisory boards, including some dating back to the 1950s, were intended to be twofold, allowing the military to benefit from a range of policy ideas, according to the Journal.
Those affected by Austin’s assignment include signs at Arlington National Cemetery, military families with special needs, the defense industry and other topics, the report said.
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Before President Trump left office, his acting secretary of defense, Christopher Miller, acted similarly to that of Austin, and such Pentagon advisers as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger, former leader of the majority of the House, Eric Cantor, R-Va. Rep. Jane Harman, D-California, reports the Journal.
According to the report, Austin plans to announce new appointments to the boards in the coming weeks.