Daniel Wolfram
A recent New York Times article reports that Pete Hegseth has fired many of his key generals, which in turn has made the rest of the employees inside the Pentagon aimless. It has gotten so bad that even Trump had to apologize.
The most important thing the head of the military can do is to exude calmness and make it seem like there is a handle on things, especially during wartime.
Unfortunately, it seems that the complete opposite is happening at the top inside the Pentagon right now.
In the middle of it all stands Pete Hegseth — the former Fox News host and Trump’s personal pick to run the military.
Mass exodus
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted several top commanders in recent months, leaving top positions vacant. Hegseth has been without a chief of staff since April, when he dismissed General Randy George without any explanation.
Three potential candidates to replace Gen. George were subsequently forced out. At the same time, top civilian leader Daniel P. Driscoll is preparing to step down following a personal fallout with Hegseth, The New York Times reported.
The number of four-star generals on active duty has dropped from ten to just five since Hegseth took office. That leaves the branch with its thinnest and most inexperienced leadership group in decades.
Lawmakers are sounding the alarm over the rapid turnover. “Hollowing out the most battle-tested and most lethal, proven leaders in a time of war means troops are less safe and we’re less likely to win,” Democratic Representative and intelligence officer Pat Ryan said.
Vulnerability on the battlefield
These leadership gaps come at a time when US troops face growing dangers abroad amid an ongoing war. Iranian missile attacks have targeted American bases across the Middle East, including a July strike in Jordan that killed three service members.
The Army’s command in Europe is also responsible for helping Ukraine with critical intelligence as the country defends itself against Russian troops. Despite these active threats, key commands responsible for training Patriot missile crews have remained vacant for months.
Former officers worry that political loyalty to Hegseth and Trump is replacing professional experience. Ryan warned, “We’re doing generational damage to the sense that the military is an apolitical, trusted organization that swears an oath to the Constitution, not to a president.”
Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith pushed back against concerns, stating that leaders are “ensuring that our strategic objectives are met, our modernization efforts remain on track and our global readiness is never compromised.”
Back to basics
The turmoil even reached the White House. After Gen. George was removed, an official called President Trump to protest, noting that the general’s parents had voted for him.
Trump put the blame on Hegseth, saying that it was his decision alone to remove George.
He offered the official a rare apology: “Tell the general I’m sorry.”
