Pentagon Chief Ensures Orderly Transitional Commitment To Government, Military Will Not Be Political

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Twitter/@DeptofDefense)

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told all members of the military in a memo released Thursday that the Pentagon is committed to an orderly transition to Donald Trump's upcoming presidential government, insisting the military will not engage in politics and is ready to carry out "all legitimate orders."

Trump, who is paired with Republican JD Vance, won the presidential election on Tuesday, ahead of rivals from the Democratic Party, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris and Team Walz, after winning more than 270 electoral votes, a minimum limit to winning the contest, although there has been no official announcement.

In a memo to US troops sent late Wednesday and released to the public on Thursday, Defense Secretary Austin said, "the US military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to safeguard our republic with principles and professionalism; and to stand together with valuable allies and partners who deepen our security," Reuters reported on November 8.

Earlier, speaking with reporters on Wednesday night in Miami, Defense Secretary Austin said he believed senior Pentagon leaders would continue to do the right thing.

"These senior leaders will remain focused on the existing tasks, and it is defending this country, protecting our troops, successful through teamwork," he said.

Both American friends and enemies remained vigilant as they waited for Trump to return to office on January 20, wondering if his second term of office would be filled with the type of turbulence and uncertainty that characterized his first four years.

Critics say that during his 2017-21 reign, Trump has publicly ignored behavioral norms in his efforts to gain political support from US forces, which should be loyal to the US Constitution, not to any party or movement or political leader.

During his campaign, Trump talked about dealing with "hosts from within."

Austin wrote in the memo: "As usual, the US military will be ready to implement the next Supreme Commander's policy choices, and comply with all legitimate orders from his civil command chain."

"You are the United States military - the best combat force on Earth - and you will continue to defend our country, our constitution, and the rights of all our citizens," he added.