Since Pete Hegseth was appointed as defense secretary at the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, over 20 high-ranking military officials, including generals and admirals, as well as civilian leaders in the defense sector, have either been dismissed or have left their positions.
Among those who have exited are some of the military’s most respected leaders, including the highest-ranking officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with commanders of significant units. The top civilian officials in both the Army and Navy have also either been pushed out or have voluntarily resigned.
Prior to his appointment, Hegseth was vocal in his criticisms of military leadership, alleging that they were overly preoccupied with diversity efforts and not adequately supporting service members on the ground. In a podcast before his nomination, he stated that any general or admiral associated with “DEI woke s***” should be removed from their position.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration has disproportionately affected female and Black military officers, with many being removed from promotion lists. Currently, there are no active four-star female generals or admirals in the armed forces, and several who did not achieve promotions have since departed the military.
Some officials were reportedly dismissed by Hegseth due to suspicions of leaking information to the press. Additionally, Hegseth has had conflicts with high-ranking officials, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned earlier this week. Sources indicate that Driscoll raised concerns about the removal of generals who were instrumental in preparing the Army for future combat scenarios.
Below is a list of notable military and civilian leaders who have left the Department of Defense during Hegseth’s time as secretary:
General Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – General Brown was unexpectedly relieved of his duties in February 2025 via a social media announcement from Trump, thanking him for his contributions just 16 months into his four-year term. Brown, a former fighter pilot with over 3,100 flight hours, was only the second Black general to hold this position in military history. Hegseth stated that the president should have the authority to choose his advisors and referred to Brown as “an honorable man, not the right man for the moment.” He was succeeded by Air Force General Dan Caine.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations – Franchetti, the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the second woman to achieve the rank of four-star admiral, was dismissed without explanation on the same day as Brown’s firing. She had previously served as commander of the 6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Korea and was nominated by Biden in 2023.
General James Slife, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff – Following Brown’s dismissal, Hegseth announced the removal of both Franchetti and Slife, recognizing their distinguished careers. Slife, who had held the second-highest position in the Air Force, had a background in special operations with over 3,100 flight hours, including combat experience.
General Randy George, Army Chief of Staff – In April, Hegseth requested that George, the Army’s top uniformed officer, retire immediately. George had a lengthy career that included service in the Gulf War and the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, and he had been a senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.
General David Allvin, Air Force Chief of Staff – Allvin retired in November, more than halfway through his two-year term as the Air Force’s chief general. He did not provide a reason for his early exit, and an Air Force spokesperson indicated that Hegseth’s office did not influence the decision.
Army Lieutenant General Joseph B. Berger III and Air Force Lieutenant General Charles Plummer, Judge Advocates General – Shortly after Hegseth took office, he dismissed the top legal officers from the Army and Air Force, having already seen the Navy’s JAG retire. In a February 2025 statement, he called for new nominations for these positions and later fired Berger and Plummer, although he did not name them specifically. Hegseth expressed a desire for legal officials who would not act as “roadblocks” and criticized the existing leadership for maintaining the status quo, which he claimed had been ineffective.
Earlier this year, Hegseth advocated for a significant overhaul of the military’s legal framework, urging military lawyers to concentrate on warfighting-related legal issues rather than civilian matters.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, Head of U.S. Southern Command – The senior U.S. military officer for Central and South America also announced his retirement late last year.
