The day after his inauguration, the new American president announced four layoffs on his social network, Truth Social. The method raises questions, even if the United States' “spoil system” is not new.
Published on 21/01/2025 16:39
Reading time: 1min
The purge in the administration promised by Donald Trump experienced its first wave on Tuesday, January 21. The American president announced the dismissal of four people. An announcement made directly on its own social network, Truth Social. The method is atypical but it is a system that has existed in the United States for a very long time.
The ax fell during the night of Monday to Tuesday. “You’re fired” (“You're fired”), Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, using the famous slogan from his television show. Front row: Mark Milley, the former chief of staff of the armed forces, who became Donald Trump's bête noire after he called him a fascist. His portrait was removed from the Pentagon on Monday.
-Also fired was José Andrés, the famous chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, an NGO very present in Gaza and during the Los Angeles fires. Keisha Lance Bottoms was a close advisor to Joe Biden, pro-vaccine during Covid. Finally, more surprising, the departure of Brian Hook, former special envoy for Iran during Donald Trump's first term.
Four senior officials who “are not aligned with our vision”explains the American president. Many others will follow, Trump threatens. “More than 1,000 people”he adds. A method spectacularly staged this time, but a system which in reality is not new. The “spoil system” has existed since the 19th century. Around 4,000 administration directors are fired every four years, with each change of presidency.
