15:I[66739,["/_next/static/chunks/0_jglizaxuvid.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/00yc4h63rurg4.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/01b21njbdx~~m.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/14s118kzsmuz9.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/166.u_60qj09..js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/0g9_wl34k-6l4.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/0~r4f.cjjsl~b.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC"],"default"] 17:I[38632,["/_next/static/chunks/0qqtp3r0h7kah.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC","/_next/static/chunks/0iukvycbd42rl.js?dpl=dpl_DRoRkpdcQV1jQfRdq8TQL36QboxC"],"IconMark"] 16:T54e,On Friday, Donald Trump fired Chairman of the Joint Chief's of Staff CQ Brown, along with several other top Pentagon officials.

Now, Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, has a question for the man tapped to succeed him, Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine.

Quote — "will he have the ability to speak truth to power?"
Senator Reed is the top democrat on the Armed Services Committee.

The Trump administration says it wants a military built on meritocracy. Critics say it's building one governed by political loyalty.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Are Trump's military picks based on merit or loyalty?

Consider This from NPR

Are Trump's military picks based on merit or loyalty?