United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the Pentagon will cut 20 per cent of its generals and admirals, in a move that would significantly reshape the upper ranks of the country's armed forces.
Hegseth, who has led the Department of Defense since early 2025, announced the decision while delivering a broad attack on diversity within the military. He declared that «no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals» would be tolerated in the ranks, according to remarks reported by The Guardian.
The defence secretary also rejected reports of low morale across the US armed forces, calling them «false claims». He suggested instead that the military was retaining service personnel at «record» rates, though he did not provide specific figures to support the assertion.
The planned reduction of senior officers is one of the most concrete structural changes Hegseth has confirmed since taking office. It would affect the highest echelons of the US military, where generals and admirals hold command and strategic roles across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force.
Hegseth's comments on diversity and personal appearance mark a continuation of his public campaign against what he has described as politically correct policies in the military. His language has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who argue it undermines discipline and demeans service members.
The confirmation of the cuts comes amid wider scrutiny of the Pentagon's direction under Hegseth, including questions about how the Iran war might affect US voters in the upcoming midterm elections. The defence secretary has faced repeated questions about morale and readiness as the military balances overseas commitments with domestic political pressures.
It remains unclear how the 20 per cent reduction would be implemented, which commands or branches would be most affected, or over what timeframe the cuts would take place. The Department of Defense has not released a detailed plan for the reductions.
For observers of US defence policy, the move signals a push to streamline a senior officer corps that critics have long argued has grown too large and top-heavy. Supporters of the cut argue it could free resources for other priorities, while opponents warn it may weaken institutional experience at a time of multiple global security challenges.
Hegseth's remarks are likely to intensify the debate over the role of diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in the US military, an issue that has become a flashpoint in American politics. His use of blunt and derogatory language has already prompted condemnation from civil rights groups and some lawmakers.
The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for further detail on the cuts or on how the retention figures cited by Hegseth were calculated. The announcement is expected to face congressional scrutiny, with lawmakers likely to press for specifics on which positions will be eliminated and how the military will maintain operational effectiveness.
For now, the confirmation stands as a clear statement of intent from the defence secretary: a smaller, leaner senior leadership and a military that, in his words, will not tolerate those he considers unfit to serve.
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