SecDef Hegseth responds to rumors he drafted ‘list’ of military officials he will purge
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Recently, there were rumors circulating within the Pentagon that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had drafted a list of senior military leaders that he allegedly planned to purge. This rumor caused quite a stir among top-ranking officers, with many fearing for their positions. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream, Hegseth denied the existence of any such list.
“I gotta ask you about this rumored list of people that you allegedly put together that we’re all going to be cleaned out. Is there a list? Is there anybody left on the list if it exists?” Bream inquired. Hegseth firmly responded, “There’s no list, Shannon. I’ve heard that, seen that very rumor, although we have a very keen eye toward military leadership and their willingness to follow lawful orders.”
Despite the denial from Hegseth, Republican lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees mentioned that they had heard about the rumored list of senior military officials facing potential removal but had not seen any concrete evidence.
The rumors of a list of purged officials came at a time when reports surfaced about thousands of probationary DOD employees, including many military veterans, being affected by federal workforce reductions ordered by the White House. The alleged list reportedly contained only a “handful of names.”
Concerns over the alleged list heightened when Hegseth’s planned trip to Guatanomo Bay was postponed. Some officials speculated that the postponement indicated imminent firings.
While the Trump administration did fire six Pentagon officials, including Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Hegseth emphasized that the decisions were about defending the Constitution and following lawful orders.
“This is all about defending the Constitution. Joe Biden gave lawful orders. President Trump has given another set of lawful orders, and they will be followed,” Hegseth stated. “And all these orders are in keeping with the Constitution and norms inside the military. If they’re not followed, then those officers will find the door.”
In conclusion, despite the rumors and speculation surrounding the alleged list of purged officials within the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth maintains that there is no such list. The focus remains on upholding the Constitution, following lawful orders, and ensuring transparency within the military under President Trump’s leadership. For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News.
