Trump Must Clean Up the Air Force Bureaucracy

In an interview with Joe Rogan just before the November election, Trump admitted he had been too trusting of Washington, D.C. insiders during his first term, particularly when it came to cabinet appointments, and vowed not to repeat that mistake in 2024.

So far, he’s kept that promise. President Trump’s nominees for his prospective new administration have been described as a “Dream Team.” With figures like conservative stalwarts Pam Bondi and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) alongside reformers such as Robert Kennedy Jr. and former Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, these selections reflect the values and priorities of Trump’s diverse coalition of supporters.

However, not every pick has been flawless—an understandable reality when staffing an entire executive branch. Thankfully, only two of Trump’s nominations so far have drawn widespread criticism.

The first misstep came with the nomination of Hillsborough County, Florida, Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency. Chronister had infamously arrested a pastor in Florida for holding church services during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing him of showing “reckless disregard for human life.” The backlash from conservatives was swift, and Chronister ultimately withdrew from consideration after realizing he lacked the support to be confirmed.

Another controversial choice was Janette Nesheiwat, Trump’s pick for Surgeon General. Nesheiwat’s positions on COVID-19 vaccines and public health drew ire from Trump’s base. She had praised vaccines as a “gift from God,” supported booster shots, and used language like “gender-affirming care,” aligning with progressive narratives on transgender health.

Now, concerns are emerging about a potential third misstep. Politico reports that Trump is considering Andrew McKenna to lead the U.S. Air Force. McKenna, the head of a small investment firm, has faced criticism for his role in consulting for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Tour. This included monitoring and tracking 9/11 victims’ families who criticized the tour’s ties to Saudi Arabia.

McKenna’s past behavior has also raised red flags within the Air Force community. The Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation criticized him for violating Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policy by inviting an unauthorized pilot to participate in an official flight formation. In a letter addressed to McKenna, the Foundation expressed serious concern over his decision:

“You invited a non-approved pilot to join the arrival formation into Oshkosh [Wisconsin] with the F-35 demonstration team. This is a plain violation of the LOA [Letter of Agreement] that authorizes the program. This placed the program at significant risk.”

The Foundation further questioned McKenna’s judgment, stating that his actions brought “significant doubts” about his ability to represent the Air Force appropriately. Ultimately, McKenna was formally removed from the program.

At a time when the Air Force needs principled, steady leadership, nominating someone with such a controversial history—ranging from FAA violations to connections with the Saudi government—would risk undermining the institution’s integrity and public confidence.

To the Trump administration’s credit, they are taking steps to prevent future staffing mistakes. Reports suggest applicants are being vetted with questions about their loyalty to Trump’s agenda, their opinions on the 2020 election, and their stance on events like January 6. While these measures aim to avoid The Swamp infiltrating a second-term administration, McKenna’s record suggests he may not meet the high standards necessary for such a pivotal position.

Although McKenna may have a history of political donations signaling loyalty, many fear his past decisions reveal a pattern of loyalty only to opportunities that serve his own interests—be it power, money, or status.

Swamp creatures have no place in the Trump administration, no matter how aligned they appear in the moment. With so much riding on sound leadership in the Air Force, President Trump should avoid this unforced error and select a more qualified candidate for the role.