GOP lawmakers caught off-guard and demand answers after Hegseth’s surprise 20% cuts to military leader roles

Several Republican senators say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth caught them unprepared when he cut the number of generals and admirals by 20 percent. The Hill reports that he gave Congress little warning and few details, including which jobs would disappear or how the Pentagon chose them. The move adds to GOP unease about his handling of the military's senior ranks, which has included firing prominent leaders and stepping into promotion decisions. Critics from both parties worry that experienced officers, among them women and people of color, are being pushed aside for ideological reasons, according to The Independent.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi said he would not have made the cut a priority and received almost no lead time. Joni Ernst of Iowa did not rule out the 20 percent figure but wants a plan and an explanation of why those positions were chosen. Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs Appropriations, called the approach ideologically driven and said she was troubled that Black officers and women are disproportionately passed over for promotion. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is retiring next year, said Hegseth has repeatedly skipped real briefings and reminded him that Congress controls the Pentagon's funding.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →