Bloomberg and others exit DOD advisory boards as Trump returns to White House

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and several others have resigned from influential defense advisory boards amid the return of President Trump, who in the waning days of his first term used the bodies to reward loyalists and exile perceived political opponents.

Bloomberg, long a political foe of Trump, has resigned as head of the Defense Innovation Board, along with former House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, internet entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen.

Hoffman resigned Dec. 1. Thornberry resigned Jan. 13, while Bloomberg and Mullen resigned Jan. 14 and Jan. 17, respectively.

Six members remain on the DIB and no new members have been appointed at this time.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon also said Defense Business Board Chairwoman and former Air Force Secretary Deborah James resigned Jan. 20, along with former U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Joeseph Votel as well as board members Sally Donnelly, Oscar Munoz and Safroadu Yeboah-Amankwah. Patricia Zarodkiewicz resigned from the board Dec. 31.

The Pentagon said board vice chair Linnie Haynesworth would serve as acting chairwoman until a successor to James is appointed.

There have been no changes in the Defense Policy Board.