Why Are There Koch Alumni in Trump’s Administration?

Yesterday, two senior advisors to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were physically escorted from the Pentagon and put on administrative leave, reportedly in connection with an investigation of leaks of sensitive national security information.

Both are among a small number of individuals who previously worked for organizations funded by an anti-Trump libertarian billionaire named Charles Koch. Unsurprisingly, his employees have been associated, like him, with foreign policies described as “restraint.” In practice, they often amount to “retreat,” or even “defeatism.”

Donald Trump resolved to avoid again hiring personnel opposed to his policies. Before returning to the White House, he actually declared that Koch alumni “need not apply” for jobs in his second administration. 

It would be a good idea to revisit the decisions that ignored the president’s sensible direction, and hire instead staff who – like his Cabinet – espouse robust America First policies.  

This is Frank Gaffney.