A newly revealed memo lays out the a series of gripes that Donald Trump loyalist Johnny McEntee assembled in a bizarre memo urging the ouster of former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
The memo, produced by McEntee's Office of Presidential Personnel and dated October 19, 2020 – just weeks before the presidential election – combines policy disagreements in personality traits, in a compilation of firing offenses.
Among the reasons listed: Esper 'issued a policy that bars the display of hte Confederate flag on military instalation[s], after the President supported such displays as freedom of speech.
Another: Esper 'publicly opposed the President's direction to utilize American forces to put down riots just outside the White House in the nation's capital. Limiting the President's decision space.'
That was a reference to the use of National Guard forces to clear protesters from Lafayette Square shortly before a Trump photo-op – a move that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley would apologize for.
Journalist Jonathan Karl of ABC News tweeted out an image of the memo, which is featured in his new book, Betrayal, The Final Act of the Trump Show.'
'There is a reason he is known as "Yesper": A memo compiled by Johnny McEntee's Office of Presidential Personnel details a laundry list of complaints against former Pentagon chief Mark Esper, who Trump forced out in the final weeks of his term
Some of the bullet-pointed reasons reflect a distaste for Esper's manner. 'The Joint Staff is running the show, as Milley's personality overshadows his civilian boss Esper,' it says.
'There is a reason he is known as "Yesper," reads another point.
It also cites that he 'has been actively pushing for "diversity and inclusion," announcing he would stand up a board, and has not done anything to stop the Services from pushing out similar initiatives.'
The also states he was 'against' the U.S. airstrike that took out Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps leader Gen. Suleimani, 'and subsequently stated he would "rule out" military attacks on cultural sites in Iran if the conflict escalated, despite the President wanting to keep that option open,' it said.
The two-page memo urges the removal of Defense Sec. Mark Esper. Journalist Jonathan Karl tweeted out an image of it
The memo called out Esper for failing to support use of US military forces to 'put down riots' outside the White House
It also said Esper was against the US military strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani
It also notes he 'approved the promotion of Lt. Col Vindman, the start [sic] witness in the sham impeachment inquiry,' a reference to now retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified about Trump's call with the president of Ukraine.
At the tail end of an administration whose Russia policy was under constant scrutiny, the memo said Esper 'focused the Department on Russia – direting in last September to "sprint" at them - and to look at "every facet of competition" with Moscow." It says this 'consumed the time' of senior leadership.
Karl's book explores how McEntee rose from carrying the president's bags to assume a powerful role as an ultra-loyalist who oversaw purges at executive agencies meant to weed out 'anti-Trumpers' and boosted Trump's election overturn effort, according to a new book.
McEntee, 31, a former University of Connecticut football quarterback, had premier access to Trump in the early days at the White House, acting as Trump's 'body man' by carrying bags and other necessities.
He would later get booted by former chief of staff John Kelly after a background check turned up gambling issues.
McEntee's influence became so outsized he 'became the