President Donald Trump is cleaning house once again—with just over two months left in office. The latest government official to be fired? Defense Secretary Mark Esper. 

Trump tweeted about the abrupt change in advisors on Nov. 9, stating,  “I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately.” He very briefly acknowledged Esper’s removal in a secondary tweet: “Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service.”

According to the New York Times, Esper and Trump have been at odds over several issues over the past year, including deciding whether to send U.S. troops to handle the protests that occurred in June—which Esper did not support. The New York Times explained that Esper was aware that he would likely be fired, and that he had already prepared a resignation letter in anticipation of it.

In his letter to the president, Esper wrote: “It has been a distinct honor to once again serve our great nation and fellow citizens, this time as the 27th Secretary of Defense for the world’s premier military force.” He further added: “I serve the country in deference to the Constitution, so I accept your decision to replace me.”

In addition to Esper, there is also the possibility that Trump will fire FBI Director Christopher Wray and CIA Director Gina Haspel, top government officials who both have been criticized by the Trump administration, according to CNN. 

Trump’s decision to remove Esper with the end of his term nearly at hand is seemingly pointless. It represents yet another questionable leadership decision by the Trump administration. It strongly reinforces the idea that President-elect Joe Biden is needed to restore order and predictability to the U.S. government—two things that Trump has upended over the past four years.

Politico reported that several democratic government officials are worried about Trump removing a top national security official during a presidential transition. They quoted House Armed Services Chair Adam Smith, who said, “Dismissing politically appointed national security leaders during a transition is a destabilizing move that will only embolden our adversaries and put our country at greater risk.” Smith added in his statement that, “President Trump’s decision to fire Secretary Esper out of spite is not just childish, it’s also reckless.”

Reflecting this sentiment, The New York Times described how Trump notified Esper that he was fired just minutes before Trump posted the announcement on Twitter. 

Trump has created an image for himself as a chaotic and unpredictable leader. This image is further aided by the fact that Trump has refused to concede the election. In contrast, President-elect Joe Biden campaigned on being a solution to the problem that is President Donald Trump. If Trump continues his erratic behavior, will that further entrench Biden and his desire to be everything anti-Trump? Will it prevent Biden from being willing to make waves and enact social change the U.S. so desperately needs?

It is unclear if this will be the case. However, in the wake of a massive pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, devastating wildfires resulting from climate change, a conservative majority in the Supreme Court, and threats to same-sex marriage, one thing is certain: the end of Trump’s term cannot come soon enough.