Editorial: The New York Times

• President Trump's decision to remove Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shows his preference for loyalty over expertise.
• The dismissals and contentious appointments undermine the future of policy and governance.
• Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. heading the Department of Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard as top intelligence officer of the country, are prime examples of the strategy of loyalty over competence.
• Kash Patel as director of the FBI prioritizes political loyalty above impartial execution of justice.
• Trump has selected retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine based on his loyalty to lead the Joint Chiefs.
• Trump is quickly getting rid of lawyers or executive branch officials who could obstruct his controversial plans.

Conclusion: These actions by President Trump create a leadership circle that reflects his world view, to the detriment of broader democratic interests. The country's democracy depends on the checks and balances of its three constituent branches.

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