• this is terrifying.
• This does not sound legally permissible, see posse comitatus.
• Members of the military have an obligation to refuse illegal orders. I am neither in the military nor a lawyer, so I can’t go too deep on that.

Even if we see (likely) “act first, let it wind through the courts later,” I’d expect there to be a substantial number of refusals.

If memory serves, the first version of the administration used “acting” department heads with some regularity.

If they are “acting,” there isn’t a confirmation hearing because no one has yet been nominated to fill the role.

I’ve worked side by side with RU devs who were both personable and damned competent. Never were their tech skills in doubt, and I retain quite a bit of respect for those individuals.

I’d not do the same today explicitly because of the political and compliance implications. It’s unfortunate, but necessary.