In a series of bold moves, President Trump has once again thrust the U.S. military into the heart of political and cultural clashes. Among his first actions was the removal of a portrait of Gen. Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from a Pentagon hallway. This symbolic act underscores the administration’s focus on reshaping the military’s role and image.

The portrait’s removal isn’t just a small change—it’s a statement. Gen. Milley, who served as Trump’s top military adviser, has been a frequent target of the president’s criticism, accused of disloyalty. The hallway where the portrait hung is lined with images of past Joint Chiefs chairmen, making its removal a notable gesture.

But that’s not all. Trump also fired the first woman to lead a military service branch, ordered active-duty troops to the border, and reinstated service members who were discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. These decisions have sparked debate about the military’s apolitical role and its future under the current administration.

Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, emphasized the president’s vision for a military focused on “lethality, meritocracy, and readiness.” However, critics argue that these early actions risk politicizing the armed forces, potentially undermining public trust and bipartisan support.

The military has long aimed to stay out of political and cultural battles, but Trump’s latest moves suggest that era may be over. Whether this shift will strengthen or weaken the military’s standing remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the armed forces are back in the spotlight, whether they like it or not.