Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly considering the removal of several generals and senior officers, with a decision possibly coming as early as this week, according to multiple U.S. and congressional officials. A list of potential dismissals has been circulating on Capitol Hill, and NBC News first reported its existence on Wednesday.
Before being nominated to lead the Department of Defense by President Donald Trump, Hegseth had expressed strong opposition to what he described as “woke” influences within the military. In a November appearance on the “Shawn Ryan Show,” he called for the removal of officials involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He specifically stated that any general, admiral, or officer associated with such programs should be dismissed, emphasizing that the military’s primary focus should be on warfighting.
Despite these earlier remarks, Hegseth appeared to take a more measured stance upon assuming office. On his first day at the Pentagon, he was greeted by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown. The two exchanged pleasantries, and when asked by reporters whether Brown would be removed, Hegseth responded by saying he looked forward to working with him. It remains unclear whether Brown is on the circulated list of potential removals.
In addition to the reported list of senior officers under consideration for dismissal, multiple officials have indicated that the Pentagon has provided a separate list of probationary employees to the Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management. These employees could be subject to termination, though certain exemptions may be made for those in mission-critical roles, veterans, and military spouses.
Hegseth has also initiated a budget review, directing that eight percent of the Defense Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget, along with allocations for the following four years, be redirected to align with the president’s priorities. Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert G. Salesses stated that the administration’s focus includes border security, the development of an American missile defense system, and the elimination of DEI-related expenditures. The Pentagon is working to identify low-priority programs from the previous administration that could be cut, with a goal of reallocating $50 billion toward these priorities. Salesses emphasized that resources should be concentrated on warfighting capabilities and deterrence, rather than climate change initiatives and bureaucratic expenditures.
