Major cracks are beginning to appear in military leadership under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, according to current and former officials within the Defense Department speaking to The Washington Times. These officials report that Hegseth has lost the trust and respect of some top military commanders due to his public “grandstanding,” which is viewed as unprofessional, and the personnel moves he has made, leading to a significant exodus of talent from the Pentagon.
Numerous high-ranking officers characterized Hegseth’s speech on September 30, delivered to hundreds of generals and admirals at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, as a pivotal moment in how his leadership style and competency are perceived within the U.S. Armed Forces. Senior officials described the speech as “embarrassing” and excessively theatrical, stating it is “below our institution.” One current general from the U.S. Army remarked, “It was a massive waste of time — If he ever had us, he lost us.”
The situation highlights ongoing challenges within military leadership as Hegseth"s approach comes under scrutiny. For more on related developments, see our coverage on the Trump administration"s plans for a National Guard Response Force.
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