Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to cut 20 percent of admirals and generals at the Pentagon as part of a broader overhaul of the department's senior leadership, according to a Pentagon official who confirmed the plan to The Hill.
The reductions affect general and flag officer positions across the Army, Navy, Air Force and joint groups, with the services expected to complete the cuts by January 1, 2027, according to Independent Journal Review. Fox News reported that the move doubles the size of cuts made the previous year and was announced as part of Hegseth's State of the Force address.
According to The Daily Wire, Hegseth also directed in a Tuesday memo that the military will no longer appoint civilian employees to tenured positions at U.S. military academies, a move described as intended to refocus the academies on "warfighter education" rather than academics.
Outlets across the center and right described the personnel cuts as part of a wider effort by Hegseth to reshape the Pentagon's senior ranks and priorities.
How each side covered it
Center
- The Hill reported a Pentagon official confirmed the 20 percent cut to admiral and general slots.
- Center coverage described the move as part of Hegseth's push to overhaul the department's outlook.
“Hegseth to cut 20 percent of admirals, generals in major Pentagon overhaul” — The Hill
Right
- Fox News reported the cuts double the size of last year's reductions and were announced in Hegseth's State of the Force address.
- Independent Journal Review reported the cuts span the Army, Navy, Air Force and joint groups, with completion by January 1, 2027.
- The Daily Wire reported Hegseth also ended civilian tenure appointments at U.S. military academies to prioritize "warfighter education."
- RedState characterized the personnel cuts as a significant reduction to the ranks of generals and admirals.
“Hegseth to double cuts to generals, admirals in major Pentagon shakeup” — Fox News
Questions readers ask
What did Pete Hegseth announce?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to cut 20 percent of admiral and general positions at the Pentagon as part of an overhaul of senior military leadership.
When will the cuts be completed?
According to Independent Journal Review, the Army, Navy, Air Force and joint groups are expected to finish the reductions by January 1, 2027.
How does this compare to previous cuts?
Fox News reported that the new reductions double the size of cuts made the prior year.
Did Hegseth make other changes besides the personnel cuts?
According to The Daily Wire, Hegseth also ended civilian tenure appointments at U.S. military academies, aiming to prioritize "warfighter education" over academics.
What did center and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Center outlets focused on the confirmed 20 percent cut to admiral and general positions, while right-leaning outlets additionally covered the academy tenure changes and framed the moves as part of a broader Pentagon shakeup.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- NewsNationCenterHegseth to cut 20 percent of admirals, generals in major Pentagon overhaul
- The HillCenterHegseth to cut 20 percent of admirals, generals in major Pentagon overhaul
- Fox NewsRight-leaningEXCLUSIVE: Hegseth to double cuts to generals, admirals in major Pentagon shakeup
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningPete Hegseth to cut 20 percent of generals and admirals
- RedStateRight-leaningHegseth Takes Machete to the Ranks of Generals and Admirals, Aims to Cull Roster by 20 Percent
- The Daily WireRight-leaningHegseth Ends Civilian Tenure For Military Academies In Bid To Boost Warfighters Over Academics