Hegseth Has Now Forced Out Over 20 Generals and Admirals. Republicans Are Starting to Push Back.

Caption: Pete Hegseth speaking at the 2023 Pastors Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Gen. Chris Donahue was the last American service member to leave Afghanistan in 2021. This week he became the latest of more than 20 generals and admirals pushed out under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth - and this time, members of Hegseth’s own party are publicly demanding answers.

What You Should Know

Donahue, the commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, submitted retirement paperwork this week after Hegseth ordered him out. He had been widely regarded as the Army’s next chief of staff. According to The Hill, Hegseth issued the verbal order to retire shortly after firing Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George on April 2.

Since taking office, Hegseth has overseen the removal of more than 20 general and flag officers across the branches - including the Army chief of staff, the secretary of the Navy, and others. Most dismissals came without public explanation.

The Pressure Point

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation and accused Hegseth of acting on personal grievances rooted in his own Army service. Republican Rep. Don Bacon, a retired Air Force general, told reporters roughly 20 generals and admirals have been ‘fired for no reason’ and called it ‘not decent.’ Rep. Michael McCaul said he did not understand the dismissal of Donahue, whom he called ‘a very good man.’

CNN reported that Hegseth kept key military planners at arm’s length in the lead-up to the Iran war, resulting in logistics gaps as the administration moved carrier assets into the region.

The Receipts

The Hill confirmed Donahue’s forced retirement via a Pentagon official. The House Armed Services Committee adopted a provision in the NDAA requiring the Pentagon to inform Congress in writing within five days of any general officer dismissal - formal acknowledgment that Congress views the pattern as requiring oversight.

What Happens Next

The NDAA provision awaits a full House floor vote and Senate action. Sen. Kaine said lawmakers would consider additional guardrails if questions remain unanswered when the defense bill reaches the floor. The next round of general officer decisions will be watched closely.

References: Newsweek | The Hill | CNN