DOD Under Trump Still Employing Obama-Biden Holdovers Who Advised on Disastrous Iran Policy

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Trump administration’s Department of Defense (DoD), one figure stands out as a questionable holdover from the Biden era: Michael Payne, a strategic advisor who played a pivotal role under Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Payne’s deep ties to the Obama administration’s Iran policy, his focus on controversial diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI) initiatives, and his open to work status on LinkedIn, which indicates he is looking for a new job, raise serious concerns about his suitability to serve in a Trump-led Pentagon committed to a starkly different national security vision and a nuclear free Iran.

A Key Player in Biden’s Defense Strategy

Since 2022, Michael Payne has served as a strategic advisor to Lloyd Austin, wielding significant influence over the DoD’s resource allocation and strategic priorities. According to his LinkedIn profile, Payne’s responsibilities included overseeing department-wide portfolio reviews, conducting major program analyses, and managing the annual DoD program review to align spending with the National Defense Strategy. Furthermore, his work directly shaped the Biden administration’s defense priorities, earning him the prestigious Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive in 2023, as noted in the Biden White House records. This recognition underscores his deep integration into the Biden-Austin framework—a framework now under scrutiny in the Trump era.

Ties to the Obama Iran Team

Payne’s tenure under Austin coincided with a period of intense criticism of the Biden administration’s Iran policy, which echoed the Obama administration’s controversial approach to Tehran. Payne, who served in various DoD roles during the Obama years, was part of the broader strategic apparatus that supported policies perceived as soft on Iran. On November 13, 2023, a group of prominent Republican senators, including then-Senator J.D. Vance (now Vice President) and then-Senator Marco Rubio (now Secretary of State), issued a scathing letter condemning Austin’s Iran strategy as “completely disjointed.” The letter, signed by 23 senators, highlighted failures in deterrence and a lack of coherence in addressing Iran’s regional aggression.

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As a key advisor to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Payne’s role in shaping defense priorities during this period places him squarely in the crosshairs of this criticism. Also, his involvement in strategic reviews and program analyses suggests he contributed to the very policies that Republican leaders decried as misaligned with U.S. national security interests. For a Trump administration prioritizing a hardline stance on Iran, Payne’s association with the Obama-Biden Iran approach is a liability that undermines his credibility and raises concern about why he hasn’t been removed from the Pentagon.

Prioritizing DEI Over Mission Readiness

Payne’s tenure also saw a heavy emphasis on DEI initiatives, which became a cornerstone of Austin’s defense strategy. In April 2022, Austin told the U.S. Armed Services Committee that “enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is fundamental to our strategy,” framing DEI as a “national security imperative.” Payne, as a strategic advisor, played a role in aligning DoD resources with this agenda, overseeing budgets that allocated significant funds to DEI programs and high-level positions.

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The Biden administration’s DEI focus diverted attention away from core military readiness and operational priorities. The Trump administration, known for its skepticism of progressive mandates, is likely to view Payne’s involvement in these initiatives as out of step with its mission to streamline and refocus the DoD on deterrence and lethality. His alignment with Austin’s DEI-driven strategy further highlights his disconnect from the current administration’s priorities, especially given the fact that President Trump signed an executive order banning DEI at the federal level.

Open to Work: A Sign of Disloyalty?

Adding to concerns about Payne’s fitness within the Trump administration is his LinkedIn profile, which is marked as “Open to Work.” This status suggests he is actively seeking opportunities outside of the DoD, signaling potential disloyalty or dissatisfaction with the new administration’s direction. For a senior advisor in a critical national security role, such a public indication of interest in leaving raises questions about his commitment to serving under President Trump’s leadership. In an administration that values loyalty and alignment with its agenda, Payne’s networking status is a red flag, especially as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

Unfit for Trump’s Pentagon

DoD Obama-Biden Holdover, Michael Payne, has a track record as a Biden-era advisor. He has ties to the Obama administration’s Iran policies. Also, Payne’s focus on DEI initiatives over mission readiness makes him an ill-suited holdover in Trump’s Department of Defense. His role in shaping an Iranian defense strategy criticized as “disjointed” by key Republican leaders, including the current Vice President and Secretary of State, underscores his misalignment with the administration’s national security goals. Furthermore, Payne’s open networking status suggests a lack of dedication to the Trump agenda, casting doubt about his willingness to adapt to a new strategic vision.

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As the Trump administration seeks to overhaul the DoD and restore a focus on strength, deterrence, and efficiency, retaining figures like Payne risks perpetuating the failures of the past. For a Pentagon tasked with confronting global threats from adversaries like Iran, Payne’s continued presence is not just a mismatch—it’s a liability and a national security risk. The administration would be wise to replace Payne with advisors who share its priorities and are fully committed to executing its vision, which includes being tough on Iran.

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