Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has lost the trust and respect of some of the U.S. military’s top commanders, according to a Washington Times exclusive published on October 20, 2025. Citing both current and former Defense Department officials, the article details how Hegseth’s leadership style—including public ‘grandstanding’ and sweeping personnel moves—has triggered a wave of firings, resignations, and early retirements among high-ranking Pentagon staff.
Hegseth’s speech on September 30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico is widely seen as a turning point, with current senior officers criticizing it as unprofessional and overly dramatic. One senior officer described the event as ‘a massive waste of time’ and claimed, ‘If he ever had us, he lost us.’ Sources argue that Hegseth has adopted a ‘junior officer’s mentality,’ micromanaging relatively minor policy issues like facial hair and press access at the expense of broader defense priorities.
Hegseth’s defenders point to a surge in military recruiting and advancements in tactical drone development since his appointment, suggesting his hard-charging, ‘warrior ethos’ appeal resonates with younger Americans and delivers concrete results. Still, many analysts and Pentagon insiders believe his policies—emphasizing merit over diversity quotas and rejecting political correctness—are causing deep and possibly lasting damage to both the military’s structure and public reputation.
The article highlights a pattern of high-level departures and a climate of mistrust inside the Pentagon. More than a dozen senior generals or admirals have been fired since Hegseth’s confirmation in January 2025, with others stepping down or retiring early. There are also concerns that Hegseth has surrounded himself with a shrinking circle of loyalists and is not drawing on the Pentagon’s broad base of experience.
Critics accuse Hegseth of focusing on minor issues and dramatic public pronouncements rather than core strategic and wartime leadership duties. His polices have also been faulted for restricting press access to the Pentagon, a move rebuked by outlets including Fox News and The New York Times.
While his supporters underscore progress in recruiting and certain national security initiatives, detractors describe an unprecedented level of chaos, with leadership turnover, allegations of favoritism, and an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear prevailing throughout the defense establishment under Hegseth’s tenure.
Full story: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/20/lost-us-generals-senior-officers-say-trust-hegseth-evaporated/