Hegseth Faces Criticism for Military Purge, Accused of Risking National Security
Retired general condemns Hegseth's military cuts as 'Russian roulette' with U.S. security. Pentagon faces scrutiny over leadership changes.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A retired U.S. Army general has criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for what he calls a reckless purge of senior military leaders, warning that the moves could endanger national security.
Randy Manner, who served over three decades in the U.S. Army before retiring in 2012, told CNN that Hegseth’s recent decision to cut 10% of general and admiral positions is not only poorly justified but also threatens the military’s effectiveness. He accused the defense secretary of removing “incredibly competent” officers based on their gender, race, or association with former leaders like General Mark Milley.
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Hegseth defended his actions during a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, calling the personnel reductions “accountability” and claiming they were necessary to eliminate what he called “woke” influences. The move comes as President Donald Trump weighs a critical decision on the ongoing conflict with Iran, adding to concerns about the timing and impact of the leadership changes.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
