Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is reportedly planning to dismiss several high-ranking military leaders. This move aims to remove individuals viewed as too tied to politics or former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Speculation about these possible firings has been circulating for weeks. Recently, a list of potential dismissals was provided to Republican lawmakers, hinting that changes could happen soon. Interestingly, Democrats have not been directly informed about these plans.
The list is said to include Gen. CQ Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hegseth has been critical of Brown, arguing that his focus on diversity and inclusion in the military is misplaced. Hegseth made these comments public before his nomination, advocating, “You’ve got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs.” He believes military leaders should prioritize combat readiness over social initiatives.
On his first day at the Pentagon, however, Hegseth appeared alongside Brown and expressed a desire to collaborate with him, which raises questions about his earlier stance.
Gen. Brown’s office has not commented on the situation. Another notable figure on the list is Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who holds the title of Chief of Naval Operations and is the first woman in this role. If she is let go, it would mark the first time in years that the military lacks a female four-star general. Hegseth has suggested that her appointment was based on gender rather than merit.
The list of potential dismissals also includes candidates for promotion, such as Gen. Samuel Paparo, currently overseeing US Indo-Pacific Command, and Gen. Erik Kurilla, who leads US Central Command. Their names have surfaced as possible successors if Brown is terminated.
The anticipated changes come amid broader efforts to significantly cut the Department of Defense (DoD) budget and workforce. Hegseth has instructed military leadership to develop plans for an 8% budget reduction each year over the next five years. This directive could lead to substantial layoffs, affecting thousands of civilian employees, particularly those on probationary status.
Some officials within the Pentagon are expressing concerns that these mass layoffs could violate laws and jeopardize military readiness. As part of this restructuring, personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have begun collaborating with Pentagon staff, setting up their operations within the building.
This evolving situation at the Pentagon reflects significant changes and challenges facing military leadership and organizational structure.
