US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told troops in a memo published Thursday that the Pentagon is committed to an orderly transition of power to the incoming administration of Donald Trump and that the military will not interfere in politics and is prepared to carry out “all lawful orders.”

Trump was elected President of the United States on Tuesday in an astonishing return to the White House four years after he lost the previous election and heralding a new American leadership that will likely test the strength of democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

In an interview last month, Trump was asked how much he expected there to be "chaos" on Election Day, and he appeared to indicate the possibility of deploying the military against his opponents.

In a memorandum addressed to the American forces sent on Wednesday evening and published today, Thursday, Austin said, “The American army will also remain far from the political arena and guard our republic on the basis of principles and professionalism, and will stand alongside our valued allies and partners who are working to consolidate our security.”

Friends and enemies of the United States alike remain cautious as they await Trump's return to office in January, wondering whether his second term will be marked by the turmoil and unpredictability that characterized his first term.

Critics say that Trump unequivocally undermined the norms of his administration from 2017 to 2021 in an explicit effort to gain political support among the American forces whose loyalty is supposed to be to the American Constitution and not to any political party or movement.

In his election campaign, Trump spoke of confronting an “enemy within.”

Austin wrote: “As always, the US military will be prepared to implement the policy choices of its next commander-in-chief and obey all lawful orders from the civilian chain of command.”

He added: “You are the American Army, the best fighting force on the face of the Earth, and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution, and the rights of all our citizens.”