U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth Fires Top Pentagon Intelligence Officials Over Iran Assessment

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), along with Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore and Rear Admiral Milton Sands, as part of a broader Pentagon purge under President Donald Trump. The dismissals follow a leaked DIA assessment that contradicted President Trump's claims about the impact of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which suggested the strikes only set back Iran's program by a few months rather than obliterating it. These firings, alongside other recent removals of senior military and intelligence officials, have raised concerns about loyalty tests within the national security apparatus, potentially chilling dissent and politicizing intelligence work. Critics including Senator Mark Warner and other Democratic lawmakers have condemned the moves as dangerous and reckless, urging congressional hearings. The administration has also revoked security clearances from numerous current and former officials, further signaling a shift in government priorities and approach to intelligence. The ongoing reshuffle and budget cuts have prompted scrutiny regarding their impact on national security and military morale.