Pete Hegseth on Pentagon purge: Status quo ‘hasn’t worked,’ ‘time for fresh blood’

In a recent interview with Fox News, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stood by President Donald Trump’s decision to dismiss several high-ranking Pentagon officials, referring to them as “woke generals” and stating that it was time for “fresh blood” at the Department of Defense. Hegseth defended the president’s actions, emphasizing the need for the right individuals to execute the national security approach desired by the administration.

The shake-up in leadership at the Pentagon included the firing of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Charles Brown and the replacement of Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife, and the judge advocates general of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Trump also announced that retired Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine would replace Gen. Brown.

Hegseth highlighted the importance of opening up military positions to a broader range of candidates through a merit-based process, rather than relying on a small group of officers who perpetuate the status quo. He pushed back against criticism from Democrats and the media, denying that the firings were politically motivated and asserting that the president has the right to select his key national security and military advisory team.

Addressing concerns about the number of high-ranking generals in the military, Hegseth pointed out that while there were only seven four-star generals during World War II, there are now 44, along with 163 three- and four-star generals. He questioned whether this inflation in ranks has led to better outcomes and emphasized the need to streamline operations at the Pentagon to prioritize resources for warfighters.

Hegseth reiterated that the military must remain apolitical, with a commitment to upholding the Constitution and defeating enemies. He emphasized that the changes at the Pentagon were not about purging or acting illegally, but rather about ensuring that the military is prepared to fulfill its mission effectively.

As the debate over the role of military leadership continues, Hegseth’s defense of Trump’s decisions underscores the administration’s commitment to reshaping the Department of Defense to align with its national security objectives.