Hegseth targets 7 more officers as his frustrated Army secretary quits
New York Times
Sep-01-2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired or blocked the promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals, a purge that has hit about 10% of the military’s top officers and shows no signs of slowing.
In recent days, Hegseth targeted seven Army officers who had been selected for two-star general rank by a board made up of senior Army leaders, according to current and former military officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The firings and Hegseth’s refusal to explain the logic behind them are dividing the Pentagon, the officials said. The latest to register his disapproval was Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who recently submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump.
In a meeting with the president, Driscoll complained that Hegseth had fired some of the Army’s most combat-tested leaders, military officials said. He also warned Trump that the firings and blocked promotions have damaged morale, causing some to question the fairness of a promotion system that is supposed to be apolitical and merit-based, senior officials said.
Hegseth’s purge does not appear to be driven by job performance, but rather is part of a broader effort by the defense secretary to fashion a force, particularly at senior levels, that is aligned with his political and ideological views, according to military officials.
If we're starting to look like a China or Russia, it's because we're mving in that direction.
Sep-01-2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired or blocked the promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals, a purge that has hit about 10% of the military’s top officers and shows no signs of slowing.
In recent days, Hegseth targeted seven Army officers who had been selected for two-star general rank by a board made up of senior Army leaders, according to current and former military officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The firings and Hegseth’s refusal to explain the logic behind them are dividing the Pentagon, the officials said. The latest to register his disapproval was Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who recently submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump.
In a meeting with the president, Driscoll complained that Hegseth had fired some of the Army’s most combat-tested leaders, military officials said. He also warned Trump that the firings and blocked promotions have damaged morale, causing some to question the fairness of a promotion system that is supposed to be apolitical and merit-based, senior officials said.
Hegseth’s purge does not appear to be driven by job performance, but rather is part of a broader effort by the defense secretary to fashion a force, particularly at senior levels, that is aligned with his political and ideological views, according to military officials.
If we're starting to look like a China or Russia, it's because we're mving in that direction.
