Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall Blasts Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Over Pentagon Personnel Moves

Former Air Force secretary Frank Kendall III told ABC’s *This Week* that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is “politicizing our military.” The criticism follows the resignation of Army secretary Dan Driscoll, which sources describe as the most consequential Pentagon exit since Hegseth took office. According to a source familiar with the matter, Hegseth also blocked promotions for four Army officers with ties to officials he previously fired and removed six Army officers from two-star general consideration this week.

Former Air Force Secretary Kendall Warns Of “Climate Of Fear” Under Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Leadership Newsweek

Hegseth’s spokesman Sean Parnell rejected the coverage, calling it a “worn-out and manufactured” narrative and defending the personnel actions as necessary to place “the right leadership” in the services. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis publicly urged the president to appoint a new Pentagon leader, arguing that the current approach “diminishes” military talent. Hegseth has not provided a detailed explanation of the specific criteria guiding the firings and promotion blocks.

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Beyond Tillis, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska), a former Air Force brigadier general, said the firings were “not morally right nor wise” and characterized firing without cause as a “lack of character.” Bacon’s remarks predate Driscoll’s resignation but echo Kendall’s concern that senior officers are being removed without clear justification.

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• “I've never seen an attempt to politicize our military like the one being conducted by Pete Hegseth,” — Frank Kendall, air force secretary

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• “I urge the President to find a new leader at the Pentagon who will retain and empower our military talent rather than diminish it,” — Thom Tillis, north carolina senator

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• “As we approach the midterms, I'm worried that all of our guardrails are gone,” — Frank Kendall, air force secretary

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• “It’s causing people to be afraid and … in many cases I think he’s not getting good advice. Because people are afraid to tell him things that he doesn’t want to hear,” — Frank Kendall, air force secretary

Former Air Force Secretary Kendall Warns Of “Climate Of Fear” Under Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Leadership