Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Pentagon Turmoil Deepens as Hegseth Tightens Grip on Military
Pete Hegseth is changing many of the top jobs in the United States military.
One important Army leader, Dan Driscoll, resigned after disagreements with Hegseth.
The Army is now missing both its top civilian and uniformed leaders approved by the Senate.
Some commanders worry that the war involving Iran is keeping troops in one region for too long.
They say this could make it harder to respond to problems in Europe, Asia or Latin America.
Reports also say the war has used many Patriot missile interceptors.
The Pentagon says these reports make the department look worse than it is.
It says disagreements are normal and that the United States still has plenty of ready weapons.
President Donald Trump continues to support Hegseth.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after disagreements with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over Army leadership and modernisation.
Hegseth has removed or pushed out more than two dozen senior officers, including the Joint Chiefs chairman, Navy admiral and Army chief.
The Army is now without Senate-confirmed civilian or uniformed leadership after Driscoll’s departure and Gen. Randy George’s removal.
Commanders have reportedly warned that extended Iran-war deployments could weaken US responses elsewhere, while Patriot interceptor stocks have come under pressure.
The Pentagon rejects claims of disarray, says disagreements are normal and maintains that the United States still has a large, ready weapons arsenal.
- Who
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, senior US military commanders and the Pentagon.
- What
- Hegseth is reshaping senior military leadership amid reported disagreements, command turnover and concerns about war readiness and weapons supplies.
- When
- During Hegseth’s tenure; the Pentagon has not held a formal press briefing since May 5.
- Where
- The Pentagon and US military operations in West Asia, with possible effects on forces in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and Latin America.
- Why
- Hegseth is pursuing leadership and modernisation changes while the Iran war is increasing pressure on US forces and weapons stocks.
Critics and concerned commanders
Pentagon and Hegseth supporters
Leadership turnover
Critics and concerned commanders
Critics argue that removing or pushing out senior officers has created unusual disruption and left the Army without Senate-confirmed civilian or uniformed leadership.
Pentagon and Hegseth supporters
The Pentagon says disagreements between civilian leaders and military commanders are normal and rejects claims that the department is in disarray.
War readiness
Critics and concerned commanders
Commanders reportedly warn that prolonged deployments for the Iran war could reduce the military’s ability to respond to threats in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and Latin America.
Pentagon and Hegseth supporters
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell says the United States still has a large and ready arsenal and disputes reports portraying its weapons supplies as depleted.
Transparency and oversight
Critics and concerned commanders
Concerns have increased because the Pentagon has not held a formal press briefing since May 5, while reports about Hegseth’s orders have raised questions about internal decision-making.
Pentagon and Hegseth supporters
Parnell condemned the publication of classified assessments of Hegseth’s orders as a serious breach of trust.
- Army leadership
- Dan Driscoll resigned after disagreements with Hegseth, following the removal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
- Senior officers removed
- More than two dozen senior officers have reportedly been dismissed during Hegseth’s tenure.
- Promotion lists
- Hegseth has reportedly removed at least 45 officers from promotion lists this year.
- Navy readiness
- The Navy’s top admiral reportedly told Hegseth that about one-quarter of destroyers were ready for deployment.
- Patriot inventory
- Reports say the Iran war has consumed around 65% of the US inventory of Patriot interceptors.
- Pentagon response
- Spokesman Sean Parnell called claims of widespread disarray baseless and said the United States retains a large, ready arsenal.
- Defence budget
- President Donald Trump is seeking congressional approval for a record $1.5 trillion defence budget.