Trump's Direct Approach: A Shift in Military Tradition

In a significant shift from past practices, President Donald Trump is now personally meeting with candidates for promotion to the rank of four-star general. This move is seen as Trump's attempt to ensure the US military maintains its global dominance, emphasizing warfighting capabilities over bureaucratic attributes.

The departure from tradition has sparked concerns regarding potential politicization of the military's hierarchy. Critics point to recent instances, like mobilizing forces during political disputes and utilizing rallied troops at events, as signs of increased blurring of lines between military operations and politics under Trump's administration.

Supporters, such as Sen. Tom Cotton, hail these meetings as necessary reforms. They argue that direct presidential oversight in military appointments underscores the importance of these key military roles. The New York Times suggests that this initiative originated with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

(With inputs from agencies.)