The White House has reportedly requested the names of any political appointees who participated in the “clap out” at the Pentagon for Jim Anderson, who Trump fired from his position as the Undersecretary for Policy, so the Administration could fire them, according to the HillReporter.
Anderson was abruptly fired by Trump in a post-election purge of people he feels are not suitably loyal to him. A “clap out” is an honor given to respected members of the military and civilian staff at the Pentagon who are leaving their positions: personnel line up along the halls and sidewalks they’ll walk on their final trip out of the building, having them leave as colleagues cheer them.
Bill Kristol first reported the desire of the Trump Administration to obtain the list of people who participated in the clap-out. This is a further sign that Trump desires to purge people from their jobs if they show any loyalty to anyone other than him.
This is not the first “clap out” for people Trump has fired. The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt loudly cheered Captain Brett Crozier, who was dismissed from his command after making requests to the Pentagon to safeguard his crew from the coronavirus.