Hegseth Defends Trump’s Dismissal of Pentagon Leaders, More Firings Expected

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump's recent firings of senior military officers, including Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, claiming they are not unprecedented and are part of the president's right to choose his national security team. Hegseth dismissed allegations of political motives, stating that many previous presidents have made similar personnel changes, including Barack Obama. He emphasized that the dismissals reflect Trump's desire for leaders who align with his strategic objectives, particularly in combating 'woke' ideologies within the military. The firings affected multiple three- and four-star generals, and Trump has nominated retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine to replace Brown. Hegseth acknowledged Brown's service but indicated he was not suitable for the current moment. The situation has raised concerns among military officials regarding the potential politicization of the armed forces.