Changes in Military Leadership Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Since Pete Hegseth became defense secretary in the second Trump administration, over 20 senior military and civilian defense officials have been removed or resigned. This includes top figures from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Military Changes

Notable removals include some of the military’s most decorated leaders who were either fired or retired abruptly. The administration has notably pushed out top female and Black officers, as Black and female personnel have been disproportionately removed from promotion lists. Currently, no four-star women generals or admirals serve in active duty.

Hegseth previously criticized military leadership for focusing on diversity and inclusion initiatives, expressing a preference for a focus on frontline service. He stated, “Any general that was involved in any of the DEI woke s*** has got to go.”

Notable Individuals Affected

• Air Force General Charles Q. Brown: Fired by Trump via social media, replaced by Gen. Dan Caine.
• Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti: The first woman in Joint Chiefs, relieved without explanation.
• General James Slife: Former Air Force vice chief, removed following Brown’s departure.
• General Randy George: Army chief of staff asked to retire early.
• General David Allvin: Retired without stated reason; not linked to Hegseth’s influence.

Other Changes

General Timothy Haugh of the NSA was removed, partly due to pressure from Laura Loomer, a Trump ally. Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse was ousted from the DIA following reports on limited success in operations against Iran.

Military Legal Removals

Hegseth also cleared senior military legal officers, criticizing them for maintaining the “status quo” which he deemed ineffective. These changes aimed at refreshing leadership with a sharper focus on military justice and operational matters.

Civilian Changes

Civilian leaders were also affected, including:

• John Phelan, Navy Secretary: Left due to difficulties working with others.
• Dan Driscoll, Army Secretary: Resigned amid tensions over Army modernization efforts.
• Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s chief of staff: Reassigned after staffing changes and leak investigation.

General criticism has focused on the perceived direction and ideological leanings under Hegseth’s leadership. The reshuffling reflects a broader administrative strategy that seeks to align military functions with the current administration’s priorities.