Pentagon Power Consolidation Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth became Defense Secretary in 2025. President Donald Trump, a longtime friend and donor, praised Hegseth’s emphasis on “readiness” and “lethality,” citing operations in Iran and Venezuela. The administration frames his agenda as restoring a “warrior ethos” and ending “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives.

Daily Beast

Hegseth has overseen a dozen senior removals, including Navy Secretary John Phelan (fired April 22 after warning lawmakers of a “land grab”), Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the first female Coast Guard commandant, the head of the Army Chaplain Corps, and four-star officers Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Admiral Lisa Franchetti. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg is reported as a co-architect.

Salon

April 22, 2026 – Navy Secretary John Phelan dismissed.

Washington Post

Mid-April, 2026 – Gen. Randy George removed as Army chief.

Salon

April 30, 2026 – Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Salon

May 1-2, 2026 – Congress held hearings on the dismissals and the $1.5 trillion 2027 defense budget.

Salon

The rapid turnover threatens continuity in shipbuilding reforms, procurement, and combat operations. Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Rich McCormick (GA) and Sen. Thom Tillis (NC) warned that the “hollowing out of incredible leadership” could erode readiness. The firings also sharpen debate over civilian versus military control of defense policy.

Salon

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth is prioritizing a return to a warrior ethos, eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and emphasizing lethality and combat readiness. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president appreciates Hegseth’s focus on readiness and lethality. Chief of Staff Susie Wiles praised his clarity, strength and leadership at a critical moment for the country.

The Independent

Unnamed officials warned that political appointees had taken control away from uniformed personnel. Rep. Rich McCormick called Gen. George’s removal “concerning,” and Sen. Mike Rogers noted the “hollowing out of incredible leadership.” Analysts Justin Logan (Cato) and Barry Posen (MIT) said the purge is “destroying without creating” and driven by ideological preference.

Salon

Sources disagree on the exact number of senior officers removed—some cite “a dozen,” others say “numerous”—and provide no clear criteria for the dismissals, leaving the Pentagon’s rationale opaque.

The Independent

• “All the power has been taken away from the uniforms and 100 percent gone to the political appointees,” — Unnamed Pentagon insider

Daily Beast

• “From day one, he has moved decisively to restore the warrior ethos, remove [diversity, equity and inclusion] ideology from the military, and refocus the force on lethality and combat readiness,” — Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson

The Independent

• “Not any more. We’re done with that s**t,” — Pete Hegseth, address to military leaders

Salon

• “As long as you don’t run the slowest, you’re safe — and Pete is not the slowest right now,” — Unnamed administration official

Daily Beast