Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Reportedly Prepares Pentagon Leadership Shakeup

Hegseth is said to be considering the removal of senior military officials, including top female leaders, over perceived alignment with diversity policies.

Reports indicate that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has circulated a list of senior military leaders he is considering removing, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti.
The rumored dismissals are reportedly tied to efforts to align military leadership with the Trump administration's focus on warfighting and its opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Adm. Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, could be replaced, which would leave the military without a female four-star officer for the first time in years.
Hegseth's list has reportedly been shared with Republican lawmakers, though Democrats were not briefed, and there is speculation that firings could be imminent.
Potential replacements for Gen. Brown include Gen. Samuel Paparo of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Gen. Erik Kurilla of U.S. Central Command, though no decisions have been finalized.