Pentagon Turmoil Deepens As Hegseth Loses Senior Leaders And Promotions Stall

According to Axios, the Pentagon is facing a leadership and capacity crisis as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed out senior officers, slowed promotions and overseen a war effort that is straining weapons stocks and deployments. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned Monday after clashes with Hegseth, and his departure followed the firing of Army Chief Gen. Randy George, leaving the Army without Senate-confirmed civilian or uniformed leadership during the Iran war. Axios reported that Hegseth has fired or forced out more than two dozen top officers, removed at least 45 officers from promotion lists this year and blocked additional promotions in recent weeks, including more than a dozen Black, Hispanic or female officers, according to NBC News. The Washington Post said commanders in Europe, the Pacific and Latin America objected to extending forces for the war, while AP reported the conflict has consumed 65% of the U.S. Patriot interceptor inventory. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell rejected claims of disarray and shortages, and President Trump has reaffirmed support for Hegseth while asking Congress for a record $1.5 trillion defense budget.