Ex-Officers Allege Pete Hegseth Forced Early Retirements After They Questioned His Orders

Two former U.S. military officers told MSN they believe Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth effectively pushed them into early retirement after they raised concerns about his directives, which he reportedly treated as insubordination. They spoke anonymously, saying they feared retaliation from the Pentagon if they went on the record.

Allegations and Examples

The officers pointed to the removal of Gen. Christopher Donahue, the Army commander for Europe and Africa and a respected former Delta Force leader who was the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021. They said Donahue’s removal is illustrative of a broader pattern under Hegseth's leadership.

"He is intimidated by people who have real warfighting background and don't just talk about the warrior ethos," one officer told MSN. "I think he just can't stand people around who will call him on his bulls***."

Scope of Personnel Changes

The anonymous officers said nearly three dozen officers and admirals have been fired or sidelined since Hegseth took over the Department of Defense early last year, and that promotions for roughly 40 senior colonels and Navy captains selected for flag rank were blocked. They also named other senior officials who have departed or been reassigned during Hegseth’s tenure, including Navy Secretary John Phelan, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, and Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. military representative to NATO.

Critics cited by the officers say the secretary’s personnel moves have disproportionately affected women, people of color, judge advocate generals and officers associated with events Hegseth has publicly criticized, such as the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Motives and Reactions

The officers who spoke to MSN argued that Hegseth appears more focused on consolidating control than on raising standards. They cited his high-profile speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico as an example of a public effort to assert influence over senior military leaders.

Hegseth joined President Donald Trump to witness the latest dignified transfer of American casualties of the Iran war Wednesday (AP)

"What he was trying to do was establish primacy over the armed forces in a public way," one officer said. "We can get the most senior people in the military to do exactly what we're going to tell them to do."

Their accounts also described active-duty personnel who feel conflicted about remaining in uniform under Hegseth’s leadership, with one officer saying many stay out of loyalty to the institution despite frustrations.

Pentagon Response and Public Debate

Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez denied the allegations to MSN: "Not a single general officer or flag officer has been fired raising concerns about any issue. That charge is completely false. If they believe what they're saying to be true, then they should put their names on their statements on the record." A Pentagon spokesperson also told reporters the claims were "completely false."

Two officers who have publicly criticized personnel moves previously are Nancy Lacore, a former officer now running for Congress in South Carolina, and Gen. Charles Q. Brown, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has written about the military’s relationship with democracy in Foreign Affairs.

Hegseth has defended his decisions on Capitol Hill as part of an effort, directed by President Donald Trump, to "challenge the culture" at the Department of Defense. During recent hearings on the Iran war and budget requests, lawmakers sharply questioned his stewardship and some protesters heckled him.

The Independent has reached out to the Department of Defense for comment.