Overview
- Maj. Gen. Paul D. Eaton (ret.) told The Guardian there is an active effort by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reshape the armed forces along political lines.
- Eaton likened the climate created by leadership removals to Stalin-era purges, saying rapid dismissals have sown doubt throughout the ranks.
- Soon after Hegseth took over, the Pentagon ousted the military inspector general, top judge advocates general, and Joint Chiefs chairman Charles Brown, who was replaced by Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, with additional Navy and Air Force leaders removed.
- Eaton pointed to Washington Post reporting that Hegseth issued a 'kill everybody' order tied to September maritime strikes that included a second strike on survivors, which he said was likely illegal and could constitute a war crime.
- He also cited a September Quantico meeting where Hegseth pressed commanders to reject 'wokeness' and suggested dissenters resign, and he warned that federalized National Guard deployments to U.S. cities risk confrontations now being challenged in court.