Hegseth’s Purge of Top Generals Leaves the Army Rudderless

Kenny Holston/The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The leadership vacuum comes as the Army is trying to adapt to a new kind of war dominated by deadly drones.

A series of firings and feuds initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has left the Army essentially rudderless as it struggles to deal with the threat posed by cheap, deadly drones and missiles that have pounded U.S. bases in the Middle East.

The Army has not had a chief of staff, the service’s top officer, since Mr. Hegseth fired Gen. Randy George without explanation in April, and there are no signs that he is close to filling the position, said current and former officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters.

Mr. Hegseth has forced out at least three senior officers who had been viewed as potential successors to General George.

Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, the service’s top civilian leader, is also expected to leave the administration in the next few months and has already moved out of the large family house that he was renting in Fort Myer, outside Washington, officials said.

The turmoil comes as the Army, the military’s largest service, faces its busiest period since the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Army air defense soldiers are playing the leading role in defending U.S. troops in the Middle East from increasingly sophisticated Iranian missile attacks. The Army’s command in Europe is providing critical intelligence and other support to Ukraine as it fights to hold off a larger Russian force. » | Greg Jaffe, Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper and Adam Entous | Reporting from Washington | Tuesday, August 25, 2026

LGBTQ Journalist Takes on Christian Nationalist Pastor Doug Wilson | Secular Spotlight

Aug 12, 2026 | FFRF’s Nancy Noet and Matt Kenyon speak with Spencer Macnaughton, editor-in-chief of Uncloseted Media, about his revealing interview with Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson, whose extremist views on LGBTQ+ rights, women, marriage and the role of religion in government have gained greater visibility through his ties to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They examine Wilson’s support for patriarchal rule and disturbing views on homosexuality and marital rape, and discuss the growing normalization of Christian nationalist rhetoric in American politics.

Trump Wants US Carrier to Stay Longer Despite Navy Families Sounding the Alarm

Aug 15, 2026 | “Unless they get to port soon, people are going to start losing their minds.”

Navy families have raised concerns about alleged food shortages, broken plumbing and serious mental-health incidents aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth insists the reports have been “completely misrepresented”, while Donald Trump says the deployment “hasn’t been long enough”, says US reporter Harriet Alexander.

Pete Hegseth Has Desecrated the Military | Steve Schmidt

August 14, 2026 | Pete Hegseth has kept the USS Abraham Lincoln at sea for over 250 days, leaving thousands of sailors exhausted and starving in a failed war. Steve Schmidt explains how Hegseth's incompetence turned a symbol of American strength into a national security crisis.

Deranged Bloodthirsty Monkeys and Hyenas

Tucker Carlson goes off on Pete Hegseth.
Tucker Carlson may not dislike this man, but I can assure Tucker that many people do dislike him. Despise him, in fact. — © Mark Alexander

'Americans Can't Buy Food & You Want Money for Iran War?': Gillibrand Drops Truth Bomb on Hegseth

July 22, 2026 | A heated exchange unfolded on Capitol Hill as U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand challenged Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the Trump administration's defense spending priorities during a congressional hearing. Gillibrand criticized the administration's request for increased funding for military munitions, arguing that the government was seeking billions for bombs while many American families continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. She questioned how the administration could justify such spending to the public. Responding to the criticism, Hegseth rejected the suggestion that the administration was asking for "unlimited bombs." He said the funding request was aimed at ensuring the U.S. military has "the right bombs at the right time" to deter future adversaries. Hegseth also described the proposal as a "generational investment" in national defense and blamed the previous administration for failing to adequately fund the Pentagon.

Hegseth and the whole Trump regime are garbage. Incidentally, why does this regime give preferential treatment to Sunnis over Shiites? How come Saudi Arabia can have a nuclear program which will in all likelihood lead to them having nuclear weapons, but Iran cannot? That, to me, sounds highly hypocritical and it certainly isn’t even-handed. — © Mark Alexander

Pete Hegseth Unravels Under Jon Ossoff's Questions | Steve Schmidt

July 22, 2026 | As Pete Hegseth faces sharp questioning from Jon Ossoff over the Trump administration's national security decisions, concerns about accountability continue to mount. Steve Schmidt explains the broader ramifications for U.S. foreign policy and global stability.

Trump is f*****g trash! How many times does it have to be said? Moreover, it is hard to see how America will ever be able to recover from his pathetic presidency. — © Mark Alexander

US Renews Strikes on Iran as Trump Threatens to Attack Nuclear Site | BBC News

July 22, 2026 | US Central Command (Centcom) said the wave of strikes were "designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported that air defences were activated in the capital Tehran. Explosions were also reported in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and in Bushehr, home to Iran's only nuclear power plant.

Iran, which has retaliated against the US and its Middle East allies, warned of reprisals after Donald Trump said the US would soon hit an underground nuclear site near Natanz.


All that money p****d against the wall! Just imagine what a president with sound judgment could have done to improve Americans’ lives with all that money!

As far as I can see, it doesn’t matter how many billions Americans throw at this war, it is hard to see how the Iranians will let America win. And God only knows what is going to happen to the world economy with the Strait of Hormuz and now also the Bab el-Mandeb blocked by the Houthis, too.

Mr Trump needs to learn that his transactional approach will not work with a people so married to their religion and ideology. Belief trumps profit each and every time. — © Mark Alexander

Doctor Reacts to Hegseth's Plan to Test Troops' Testosterone

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that he is rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.”

The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ required medical screenings for those 30 and older, he said. Troops under 30 can volunteer to be tested. In a video on social media, Hegseth said receiving testosterone replacement therapy would be voluntary.

Donald Trump Will Face Consequences | Steve Schmidt

Jun 19, 2026 | Pete Hegseth removed the portrait of an American hero, the first Black four-star general, Daniel "Chappie" James Jr., from the Pentagon. On this Juneteenth, Steve Schmidt breaks down the overwhelming resurgent racism of Trump's regime and why it must be rejected this November. …

Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The defense secretary’s decision to block the officers’ promotions appears driven by his anti-diversity stance rather than based on merit.

In a move that disproportionately targets women and minority officers, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently blocked the promotions of at least seven Navy officers who had been selected by a board of senior Navy admirals.

The net result of Mr. Hegseth’s intervention is a slate of 22 nominees to be one-star admirals that bears little resemblance to the broader force these officers will help lead.

At least two of the officers removed by Mr. Hegseth from the promotion list are women and two are Black men. An additional three are white men.

Mr. Hegseth’s actions, which appear to violate the rules governing a promotion system that is supposed to be apolitical and merit-based, were described by four current and former defense officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters. » | Greg Jaffe and Kate Kelly | Greg Jaffe reported from Washington, and Kate Kelly from New York. | Monday, June 1, 2026

So where is this man’s Christianity now, then? Behaving in this mean-spirited and ungenerous manner hardly rhymes with the teachings of Jesus, does it? These people are such FAKES! — © Mark Alexander

Pete Hegseth, ministre de la Guerre américain : le visage de la guerre en Iran de plus en plus isolé et contesté

LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - Le ministre de la Guerre continue de mener une sourde lutte contre la hiérarchie militaire, et se heurte régulièrement aux médias qui questionnent sa vision triomphale du conflit.

Le secrétaire à la Guerre est sur la défensive. Alors que la guerre d’Iran a muté en une épreuve de force économique et que la victoire totale annoncée tarde à se matérialiser, Pete Hegseth apparaît de plus en plus isolé, et sa gestion souvent conflictuelle du Pentagone contestée. Les limogeages d’officiers généraux ou de hauts responsables ont continué en pleine guerre sans autres explications que le déplaisir de Hegseth. Peu d’informations émanent du plus important ministère américain au milieu d’un conflit qui a déjà entamé les stocks de munitions critiques, et contribue à l’augmentation considérable de ses dépenses. Devenu l’un des visages publics d’une guerre impopulaire, Hegseth continue de bénéficier du seul soutien qui compte, celui de Donald Trump. Mais sa position n’est pas des plus solides au sein d’un cabinet où la faveur présidentielle peut se perdre rapidement.

Les mises à l’écart d’importants responsables militaires et civils, qui avaient commencé dès la prise de fonctions de Pete Hegseth, ont continué, alimentant le malaise au sein du Pentagone. La mise à l’écart du général Randy George, chef d’état-major de l’armée de terre, démis de ses fonctions le 2 avril dernier a été critiquée, y compris parmi les républicains au Congrès. Cet officier unanimement respecté, aux états de service impeccables, s’est vu congédier sans explications. Selon les sources citées par les médias américains, le général George se serait opposé à une décision de Pete Hegseth de rayer du tableau d’avancement plusieurs officiers, notamment des Noirs et des femmes. Le secrétaire à la Défense, qui a rebaptisé son poste secrétaire à la Guerre, mène depuis sa nomination une politique visant à mettre fin aux mesures de discrimination positive, qu’il qualifie de « woke » et qui, selon lui, réduisent l’efficacité des forces armées américaines. » | Par Adrien Jaulmes, correspondant à Washington | mardi 5 mai 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Steve Schmidt: Pete Hegseth Is the Most Ignominious Military Leader of All Time

May 4, 2026 | Congressman Jason Crow says there is something broken in Pete Hegseth and he is absolutely right. Steve Schmidt breaks down Hegseth's insidious conduct and explains why Donald Trump, who is responsible for this ignominious drunk, must fire him.

Steve Schmmidt: Pete Hegseth Will Rot in His Shame

Apr 30, 2026 | Fifty-one years ago the last helicopter fled the US Embassy in Vietnam, and Donald Trump has brought America into another losing war. Steve Schmidt exposes Pete Hegseth's incompetence, villainy, and criminal failures in this catastrophe.

Hear! Hear! — Mark

Le détroit d’Ormuz « est plus leur combat que le nôtre » : Pete Hegseth critique les Européens et les somme de « se mettre à l’eau »

LE FIGARO : Lors d’une conférence de presse, le secrétaire à la Défense américain s’en est pris aux pays européens qui profitent gratuitement depuis des décennies, selon lui, de la protection des États-Unis.

Le chef du Pentagone s’en prend une nouvelle fois aux Européens. Lors d’une conférence de presse à Arlington (Virginie) ce vendredi 24 avril, Pete Hegseth a fait un point sur le conflit en Iran et le blocus du détroit d’Ormuz. Par la même occasion, il a chargé les pays européens qui profitent gratuitement, selon lui, de la «protection» des États-Unis. « L’Europe et l’Asie bénéficient depuis des décennies de notre protection. Mais ce temps est révolu », a-t-il lancé.

« Les États-Unis et le monde libre méritent des alliés loyaux, et être un allié ce n’est pas à sens unique. Nous, nous ne comptons pas sur l’Europe mais eux ont bien plus besoin du détroit d’Ormuz que nous », a-t-il affirmé. Avant de tacler les Européens de nouveau : « Ils feraient bien de parler un peu moins, d’organiser moins de conférences prestigieuses et plutôt de se mettre au travail et se mettre à l’eau. » Et d’insister : « C’est plus leur combat que le nôtre. » » | Par Clara Hidalgo | vendredi 24 avril 2026

Steve Schmidt: Donald Trump Has Made America Sick Again

Apr 23, 2026 | RFK Jr. has slithered under the radar while decimating America's public health system, but no longer. Steve Schmidt exposes how Trump and RFK Jr. are making Americans sick as MAGA and MAHA go to war.

The Messianic Maniac Pushing for Holy War in Iran

Apr 22, 2026 | Radical Muslims. Messianic mullahs. Religious nutjobs.

Sound familiar?

That’s how the Trump administration has described the rulers of Iran over the last few months in an effort to justify starting an illegal war that has now destabilized the entire Middle East.

But, as Mehdi points out, it’s not the Iranians who are pushing for a holy war in the Middle East — it’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, covered in crusader and Islamophobic tattoos, who has repeatedly called on Jesus Christ himself to help US forces unleash “overwhelming violence” on Iranians and deliver their souls to “eternal damnation.”

Mehdi takes a deep-dive into Hegseth’s open Christian nationalism and messianic militaristic agenda, and reframes the narrative of who actually wants a holy war in the Holy Land.

Steve Schmidt: Trump Will Regret Launching This War

Apr 21, 2026 | Donald Trump promised over and over the war would end. Steve Schmidt warns of the growing toll and promises the Trump regime will be buried by their shame.

Americans elected FOOLS to lead them. America is finished. Any so-called leader who wages an illegal war deserves to lose it. — © Mark Alexander

Why Is Donald Trump Picking a Fight with the Pope?

Here’s your answer.

Hegseth Faces Impeachment Pressure Over Iran Rhetoric | Anita Powell

Apr 16, 2026 | “We’ll see how that proceeds on Capitol Hill.”

Hegseth’s “posturing” and return to “controversial threats” towards Iran are exactly what have “led to articles of impeachment”, says US reporter Anita Powell.