Insiders at the Pentagon have reported a climate of suspicion fostered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to 15 current and former officials, staff members are making decisions based on whether they could jeopardize Hegseth's position. Hegseth has dismissed over two dozen senior officers and was involved in the ousting of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Officials stated that personnel were required to sign nondisclosure agreements and undergo polygraph tests to access operational information. One official described the atmosphere as one of self-preservation, where daily decisions were influenced by concerns over Hegseth's job security.
George's dismissal was reportedly abrupt, communicated to him via a phone call after he had requested a meeting with Hegseth to discuss priorities. Following his firing, George's staff learned of the news through social media, leading to an awkward atmosphere during subsequent meetings.
Hegseth's management style has reportedly led to a lack of clear internal processes within the Pentagon, with sources indicating that key military planners were excluded from important discussions regarding the war with Iran. This has resulted in operational paralysis and a lack of trust among staff.
In response to the CNN report, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell criticized the sources as having a political agenda and defended Hegseth's leadership. President Trump has publicly supported Hegseth, describing him as a strong leader in a recent Cabinet meeting.