Austin pledges 'orderly' transition of power to Trump's DOD team

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a memo to U.S. troops today committing the Pentagon to a "calm, orderly and professional transition" to the incoming Trump administration.

“As it always has, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next Commander in Chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command,” Austin wrote in the memo obtained by Inside Defense.

The previous presidential transition, in which outgoing Trump officials were meant to relinquish the reins of the Pentagon to the incoming Biden administration, was marked by dysfunction and charges of obstruction.

Austin also pledged to keep the military apolitical during what could be a time of turbulent change following a sharply divisive presidential election.

“The U.S. military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security,” he wrote. “You are not just any military. You are the United States military -- the finest fighting force on Earth -- and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution, and the rights of all of our citizens.”

The Defense Department established an internal team to assist with the upcoming presidential transition in September, which is being led by Performance Improvement Officer and Director of Administration and Management (PIO/DA&M) Jennifer Walsh.