Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Removal of Senior Military Leaders

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday defended his decisions to fire or sideline nearly 30 generals and admirals in the past year, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George, during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.

New York Times

Lawmakers noted the removals occurred with little public explanation and are described as unprecedented in recent decades. The Pentagon initially cited the disputed 197-officer figure for the Obama era, then issued a revised statement omitting the number.

Seattle Times

Nearly 30 senior officers have been removed or sidelined in the past year. Hegseth claimed 197 general officers were removed under President Barack Obama, a figure fact-checking sources found unsupported. Four officers—two Black men and two women—were blocked from promotion to one-star rank on a list of roughly three dozen officers, most white men.

Seattle Times

Hegseth told the committee his actions are not unique to his administration, citing the disputed 197-officer figure and emphasizing a review of every general officer. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell initially repeated the figure in a New York Times statement before issuing a version without it. Senator Jack Reed said the intervention breaches merit-based promotion rules. Rep. Austin Scott expressed respect for Hegseth but disagreed with Gen. George’s removal; Rep. Chrissy Houlahan called Gen. George a patriot admired across parties.

Seattle Times

Lawmakers and senior officers questioned the lack of transparent criteria. Rep. Derek Tran challenged the block of four promotions. Senior officials noted that two Black men and two women were removed from a promotion pool dominated by white men, raising bias concerns. Sen. Reed emphasized that promotions should be merit-based, not subject to administrative intervention.

Seattle Times

The 197-officer removal figure cited by Hegseth and initially repeated by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell has been identified as factually unsupported. The Pentagon later issued a statement omitting the number, but no official source has provided a verified count for the Obama era. The Defense Department also has not disclosed specific reasons for each senior officer’s removal or the criteria used for the blocked promotions.

Seattle Times

• “I would also note that under Barack Obama, 197 general officers were removed,” — Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary

New York Times

• “I do want you to know I disagree with the firing of General George.” — Rep. Austin Scott, Republican Representative from Georgia

New York Times

• “Out of respect for these officers, we never talk about the nature of their removal,” — Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary

Seattle Times

• “peddling Democrat talking points have clearly forgotten that 197 officers, including flag officers, were fired during the Obama administration,” — Sean Parnell, Pentagon chief spokesperson

Seattle Times

Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee, where further questions about the removals and promotion blocks are expected.

Seattle Times