#military
12 entries with this tag
"This Is Just Disarray": Pentagon Insiders Sound Alarm as Hegseth Purges Officers With Impeccable Records
Insiders describe the Pentagon as in "disarray" and "an atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust" as Defense Secretary Hegseth has fired or sidelined dozens of senior officers — the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Army Chief of Staff, the Navy Secretary, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Cyber Command chief, the NATO military rep, and more. All during an active war. A current official: "He's just really uncomfortable with anyone who could potentially be outshining him."
Hegseth Fires Army Chief of Staff During an Active War — Replaced by His Own Former Aide
Hegseth ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George during the Iran war and replaced him with Gen. LaNeve — Hegseth's own former military aide. George was the latest in a purge of 12+ senior military leaders. Hegseth wants officers who "implement his vision."
Hegseth Personally Struck Black and Female Officers from Promotion List
Hegseth personally removed 2 Black men and 2 women from the Army's brigadier general promotion list after the Army Secretary repeatedly refused. His chief of staff said "Trump would not want to stand next to a Black female officer at military events."
Claimed Iran Bombed Their Own School
After a U.S. missile strike destroyed an Iranian girls' school killing over 170 children, Trump claimed — without evidence — that Iran had bombed their own school, contradicting independent investigations, his own Pentagon, and multiple international observers.
Invaded Venezuela and Captured Its President
The U.S. launched a military invasion of Venezuela, capturing President Maduro and killing at least 80 people. Trump declared the U.S. would "run the country." Brazil, France, China, and most of the world condemned it.
Hegseth Shared War Plans with Wife and Brother on Signal
Beyond the first Signal leak, Defense Secretary Hegseth shared classified F/A-18 strike schedules in a second Signal chat that included his wife, his brother, and his personal lawyer. The IG found it matched SECRET/NOFORN documents.
Classified War Plans Leaked via Signal Group Chat
Senior officials discussed classified military strike plans against Yemen's Houthis on Signal — and accidentally added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to the group chat, leaking operational details hours before the strikes.
Unprecedented Mass Firing of Military Leaders
In a single Friday night, Trump fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the first female Navy chief, and four other top military leaders. Both four-star women officers were removed. Hegseth then ordered a 20% cut to general officer positions.
Called Fallen Soldiers "Losers" and "Suckers"
Trump referred to American Marines killed in World War I as "losers" and "suckers" and refused to visit their cemetery because it was "filled with losers." His own Chief of Staff, a Gold Star father, confirmed the remarks.
Lafayette Square Bible Photo Op
Law enforcement tear-gassed peaceful protesters so Trump could walk to a church and pose holding a Bible he didn't read. Minutes before, he had threatened to deploy the military against American citizens.
Abandoned Kurdish Allies to Turkish Invasion
After a phone call with Turkey's Erdogan, Trump abruptly withdrew U.S. forces from northern Syria, greenlighting a Turkish military assault on Kurdish allies who had lost 11,000 fighters battling ISIS alongside American troops.
Banned Transgender People from Military Service
Trump announced via tweet — blindsiding the Pentagon — that transgender people would be banned from serving in the military. Four federal courts blocked it. Defense Secretary Mattis and the Joint Chiefs were not consulted.