Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged President-elect Trump's victory on Thursday and said the Pentagon will ensure a 'calm, orderly' transition toward the new administration. Austin made the announcement in a letter to all U.S. military members on Thursday.
'Our fellow citizens have elected the next President of the United States. The Department will make a calm, orderly, and professional transition to the incoming Trump administration. As it always has, the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next Commander in Chief, and to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command,' Austin wrote.
'The U.S. military will continue, in the words of our Constitution, to 'provide for the common Defense.' The U.S. military will also continue to stand apart from the political arena; to stand guard over our republic with principle and professionalism; and to stand together with the valued allies and partners who deepen our security. America's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians swear an oath to 'support and defend the Constitution of the United States'-and that is precisely what you will continue to do,' he added.
