Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has removed U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield from her position as the U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee.
A federal judge in New Jersey has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from discharging two transgender service members from the U.S. Air Force.
President Donald Trump has initiated a significant overhaul of the Pentagon’s leadership, resulting in the dismissal of several top military officials. On February 21, 2025, Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was removed from his position. Brown, who had served as chairman since 2023, was the second African American to hold this esteemed role. His tenure was marked by involvement in key operations, including the Ukraine conflict and Middle East engagements. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously criticized Brown, accusing him of advancing personal interests by "playing the race card" and failing to uphold traditional military values.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a firm warning to Pentagon officials, making it clear that those who refuse to follow President Donald Trump’s directives will be removed from their positions. During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Hegseth addressed growing speculation about a list of personnel slated for termination, denying the existence of a formal list but reiterating that officers unwilling to carry out lawful orders would be dismissed. His remarks underscore the administration’s intent to enforce strict discipline and realign the Pentagon’s priorities with the president’s defense strategy.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to shift $50 billion from "woke programs" and use the funds to support President Donald Trump's priorities.
The Department of Defense is proactively identifying areas for potential budget reductions in response to anticipated recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In recent weeks, the U.S. military has intensified its surveillance operations along the U.S.-Mexico border, conducting at least 18 missions over the southwestern United States and the Baja peninsula.