Republican Senator Thom Tillis called on President Donald Trump to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing what he described as inept management and a growing leadership void within the U.S. military. The public rebuke from the North Carolina lawmaker follows the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who stepped down after months of reported friction with Hegseth over the departure of top military officials.
Tillis Curses Pentagon Management and Demands Ouster
According to statements posted on social media by Senator Thom Tillis, the Defense Secretary has actively undermined military talent and driven experienced leaders into early retirement. Tillis, who previously served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted to confirm Hegseth last year but now argues that the Pentagon requires new leadership.
“If we had a SecWar who maintained the same priorities and forward-thinking, he would be fighting to retain talented leaders like Dan and the many flag officers he has forced into retirement,” Tillis wrote on X, referencing outgoing Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Tillis further asserted that Hegseth is “intimidated by competence and retreats to ginning up culture wars instead of soberly attending to the vital work of our national defense.”
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns Amid Leadership Clashes
The friction between civilian leadership at the Pentagon culminated in the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Reports from outlets including The Hill and Financial Times indicate that Driscoll engaged in a months-long turf war with Hegseth concerning the retention and removal of high-ranking military commanders.
Despite the high-profile exit, Driscoll lauded Hegseth in statements reported by Forbes, even as the Pentagon publicly refuted claims of a systemic leadership gap. However, multiple outlets noted that Driscoll consistently pushed back against Pentagon directives that resulted in the ouster of senior generals and civilian defense leaders.
Broad Turnover Across Military Leadership Ranks
The controversy surrounding Hegseth involves a substantial roster of high-level departures since he took charge of the Department of Defense. According to reporting compiled by CBS News and independent outlets, approximately 20 senior military and civilian leaders have stepped down or been forced out during Hegseth’s tenure.
Notable figures who have vacated their positions include:
- Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., former Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Adm. Lisa Franchetti, first female member of the Joint Chiefs
- Gen. Randy George, former Army Chief of Staff
- Tim Haugh, former U.S. National Security Agency Director
- Gen. David Allvin, former Air Force Chief of Staff
- Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, former Defense Intelligence Agency Director
- John Phelan, former Navy Secretary
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