USA

Pentagon Shake-Up Raises Fresh Questions Over Hegseth’s Leadership

06 September 2026 21:09 PM

NEWS DESK

A wave of resignations and dismissals of senior officials at the Pentagon is raising fresh concerns about the leadership of the US military and whether the Defense Department is losing too many experienced commanders under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Army Secretary’s Exit Raises New Concerns

The latest high-profile departure is that of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned after being appointed by then-President Donald Trump around 18 months ago to help modernize the Army and support efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

His sudden departure has intensified questions about the internal situation at the Pentagon, particularly Hegseth’s leadership style and decision-making approach.

Senior Military Leaders Depart

Since Hegseth took office, several senior military officials have been dismissed or forced to leave their positions. They include the top officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Navy’s highest-ranking admiral and the Army’s top commander.

The departures have raised concerns about a potential loss of experience at critical levels of military leadership and what that could mean for combat operations, policymaking and long-term defense planning.

Weapons Shortages Add to Pressure

Six months into the war with Iran, the Pentagon is also facing concerns over shortages of various types of ammunition and other military supplies.

Alongside questions about US military readiness, Hegseth’s management of ongoing military operations is coming under increasing scrutiny.

Carrier Crew Faces Long Deployment

Concerns are also growing over the morale and wellbeing of US service members. The USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying nearly 5,000 personnel, is expected to dock in Pattaya, Thailand, after spending roughly 250 consecutive days at sea.

The unusually long deployment has highlighted concerns over the physical and psychological strain on the carrier’s crew. Members of Congress have also raised questions about the conditions aboard the ship and the mental health of its personnel.

The Pattaya visit would mark the largest concentration of US military personnel there at one time since the fall of Saigon in 1975, at the end of the Vietnam War.

With continued changes at the Pentagon’s senior levels, ammunition shortages and mounting pressure from prolonged military deployments, debate over Hegseth’s leadership is deepening.

Pete Hegseth Pentagon