By Nathan Gay | The Daily Wire
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is reportedly considering firing more than half a dozen generals and flag officers, triggering speculation of a Pentagon shake-up focused on rooting out those “involved in any of the DEI woke s***” that permeated the U.S. military during the Biden administration.
According to CNN, rumors of pending dismissals have circulated for several weeks, but a list containing the names of officers who could be let go was recently sent to Republican lawmakers.
Several high-profile generals, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, could be on the chopping block.
In an appearance on the “Shawn Ryan Show” before his nomination, Hegseth said of Gen. Brown: “First of all, you’ve got to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs … But any general … that was involved in any of the DEI woke s*** has got to go … That’s the only litmus test we care about.”
Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, is also reportedly on the list, which could leave no female four-star officers in the U.S. military if she is removed.
In his 2024 book, Hegseth wrote, “If naval operations suffer, at least we can hold our heads high … Because at least we have another first! The first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — hooray.”
According to individuals familiar with Hegseth’s plan, the list presented on Capitol Hill outlines multiple potential outcomes for senior positions, including possible promotions.
Gen. Samuel Paparo of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Gen. Erik Kurilla of U.S. Central Command have each been discussed as potential replacements for Gen. Brown if a shakeup at the top occurs, though no choice has been finalized.
Meanwhile, a small contingent from the Department of Government Efficiency project has started meeting with Pentagon representatives to manage office space and coordinate budget assessments.
Military planners are expected to release updated figures on proposed funding changes in the coming days as part of the ongoing discussions over reshaping defense structures.
First published on The Daily Wire
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Officials are pushing back on the notion that the Department of Defense has a “list” of flag officers that Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to fire. Republican lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees said Thursday that they had heard about a list but not been presented anything. The rumors flew through the Pentagon Thursday, creating fear among top-ranked officers, as reports that thousands of probationary DOD employees, including many military veterans, could be affected by the federal workforce reductions ordered by the White House. . . . .
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A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is petitioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for more transparency in any future decisions involving the dismissal of senior uniformed leaders, saying the process must avoid political undertones to preserve the sanctity of the military. In a letter to Hegseth on Friday, the representatives asked for details on the process by which any general or flag officers are being evaluated for removal, what factors will be considered and legal justification for such moves.
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