The Biden administration has told all ex-Trump officials to resign from their appointed positions to the advisory boards of the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and West Point, including Russ Vought, the former director of the Office of Management and Budget who on Wednesday refused to do so.
“No. It’s a three year term. @WhiteHouse” Vought tweeted early Wednesday along with a copy of a letter from the White House requesting his resignation.
“On behalf of President Biden, I am writing to request your resignation as a Member of the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Naval Academy,” reads the letter from Catherine M. Russell, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. “Please submit your resignation to me by the close of the business today. Should we not receive your resignation, your position with the Board will be terminated effectively 6:00 pm tonight. Thank you.”
Newsmax anchor Sean Spicer, also a member of the Naval Academy board, received the same letter.
He clapped back against the Biden administration and specifically White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who said the president's objective is to "ensure you have nominees and people serving on these boards who are qualified to serve on them and who are aligned with your values."
"She crossed the line today," Spicer said on his show, "Spicer & Co."
"Joining the military and wearing the uniform of this amazing country remains one of my greatest decisions in life. For 22 years, I've had the honor of serving alongside some of the most talented, patriotic and brave individuals this country has to offer. I'm a proud graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, I've done multiple tours and politics has never entered into my service. I've served under five different presidents of both parties.
"When you wear the uniform, you serve the commander in chief. We take an oath as officers to the Constitution, not to a party. Each of us chooses how we're going to serve this country. I won't ever question how anyone chooses to do that. I won't question how you choose to do that, Jen, but don't you dare ever minimize or question my service to this nation, you got it?"
The board, made up of eight members of Congress and six presidential appointees, meets several times a year to provide advice on issues of “morale and discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, and academic methods” for the school.
Meaghan Mobbs, a West Point grad and former adviser to former President Donald Trump on military family issues, said she would not resign.
“It is tragic that this great institution is now being subjected to and hijacked by partisan action that serve no purpose and no greater good,” Mobbs, a member of the West Point advisory board, wrote in response.
“Make no mistake, the move to terminate duly appointed presidential appointees sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations and undermines our institutions.”
In total, CNN reports that 11 appointees have been asked to resign, including: former senior counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, retired Col. Douglas Macgregor, former White House liaison to the DOJ Heidi Stirrup, Michael Wynne, retired Gen. John Keane, David Urban and John Coale.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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