Hegseth fuels a purge at the Pentagon and the departure of its civilian leadership

Dan Driscoll’s resignation as Army secretary has become the latest sign of upheaval at the Pentagon. His departure follows the exit of Army Chief of Staff Randy A. George in April and another departure described as forced, that of General Christopher Donahue, who led the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa.

The departures came after months of reports about friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They have also fueled criticism of what the source describes as a growing leadership crisis and concentration of power at the Pentagon. Republican Senator Thom Tillis urged President Donald Trump to appoint a leader who would retain and strengthen military talent instead of diminishing it.

The New York Times reported that Hegseth had dismissed or blocked the promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals. The group included numerous Black officers and women, affecting nearly 10% of the senior military leadership.

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I urge the president of the United States to find a new leader for the Pentagon who will retain and strengthen our military talent rather than undermine it.

The pressure has grown as the war in Iran passes six months without signs of an end. Senior military officials have warned that the prolonged conflict could harm the United States’ ability to remain prepared for possible scenarios. Families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have also complained of supply shortages, contaminated water and a broad deterioration in the crew’s mental health.

The carrier departed in November 2025 for a routine voyage and was later deployed to Middle East operations. It spent 208 days without entering port, longer than any other such period in modern U.S. history, according to the article. Trump played down the duration, while Hegseth said reports, including claims that sailors tried to jump overboard, had been “distorted.” The USS George Washington sailed in August to relieve it.

Plans to address hormonal deficiencies through interim guidance on testosterone-deficiency screening for active-duty and reserve personnel have also prompted concern among some troops. The Pentagon paused the clinical requirements needed to implement the policy. Politico reported that Driscoll disagreed with the plans, although the supplied article ends before explaining the scope of that disagreement.

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Distorted.