The mass firings have disproportionately affected minority and female officers. General CQ Brown was terminated as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff in February 2025, and Admiral Lisa Franchetti was removed as chief of naval operations. General David Hodne and Major General William Green Jr. were also fired. Hegseth denied that President Trump instructed him to single out Black and female officers for dismissal, according to reports. He added that previous leadership was "focused on height, social engineering, race and gender in ways that we think were unhealthy."
General Randy George was ousted as Army Chief of Staff in April 2025. According to The Guardian, George was fired after he refused to obey Hegseth's instruction to strike four officers from a promotion list. However, anonymous officials told Daily Mail - Home that the firing was driven by Hegseth's paranoia about Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who was close to George and seen as a potential replacement for Hegseth. Driscoll has vowed he will not resign despite clashes with Hegseth, stating, "I have no plans to depart or resign as the Secretary of the Army." The White House backed Driscoll, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly praising his efforts. Hegseth's spokesman Sean Parnell disputed assertions of tension, saying Hegseth maintains "excellent working relationships" with all service secretaries.
Serving under President Trump has been the honor of a lifetime, and I remain laser-focused on providing America with the strongest land-fighting force the world has ever seen. I have no plans to depart or resign as the Secretary of the Army.
Some Senate Republicans have criticized Hegseth. According to The Independent - Main, Senator Joni Ernst said firing General George was a mistake, describing George as "one of the finest officers the United States Army has ever produced." Senator Thom Tillis told The Independent - Main that Hegseth has a "failing grade" and pointed to personnel moves. Anonymous GOP senators said Hegseth would not be able to pass a congressional confirmation process today and want Trump to "move on."
Hegseth has become "emboldened" after ousting senior officials to "consolidate control" at the Pentagon, according to The Washington Post. Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired on April 22 after voicing concerns about a "land grab" by Hegseth and Feinberg, according to multiple reports. Hegseth denied that Trump instructed him to target specific groups. The internal tensions have raised concerns about stability during wartime.
The extraordinary talent of the United States Army is on full display as our warfighters meet or exceed all of their benchmarks under Operation Epic Fury and Iran's military capabilities diminish more every day.
General Christopher LaNeve was appointed as Vice Chief of Staff in February 2026. Dan Caine replaced General CQ Brown as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. The US is currently engaged in a war with Iran, according to multiple reports. The impact of the leadership changes on military operations remains unclear.
Secretary Hegseth maintains excellent working relationships with the secretaries of every military service branch, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
This is all driven by the insecurity and paranoia that Pete has developed since Signal-gate. Unfortunately, it is stoked by some of his closest aides who should be trying to calm the waters.
I have the greatest admiration and respect for Gen. Randy George. He's probably one of the finest officers the United States Army has ever produced. It was a mistake for Secretary Hegseth to dismiss him.
There's no question [Hegseth's] got a failing grade.
General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George's decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.
a battle-tested leader with decades of operational experience and is completely trusted by Secretary Hegseth to carry out the vision of this administration without fault