One sign of an oligarchic system on the rise is that of merit in government being replaced by those with personal ties to the ruling class also called cronyism. Cronyism is further identified as giving jobs or advantages to associates who have supported another at the expense of fairness and merit.

For the past 8+ years SECDEF has been a Trump loyalist turning an eye to sometimes shady actions. While trying to paint the SECDEF as a qualified candidate due to having some experience in the military to generate an image of having merit, his actions this week demonstrate the opposite. One can easily be driven to overlook his merit in being given the post of SECDEF for that of one a merely a Trump Loyalist regardless of the Presidents actions. This week has been whereby I have begun to raise an eyebrow and seriously begin to question the Administrations talk of merit, yet their actions are beginning to whisper oligarchy.