Ineptitude is a byproduct of ignorance, inability to come up with cohesive strategies, cognitive limitations...
Trump had no idea what he was doing in 2017. He only began to make calls to attempt something outside the realm of mere mean tweeterz in 2020 (like use the military the quell protesters), and was only prevented in doing so by his Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, various Military commanders....
This time he plans to appoint only those who will remain 100% in agreement with him, and that includes replacements for the generals he plans to fire.