Published 2 hours ago • loading... • Updated 2 hours ago
Hegseth’s focus on culture war disrupting Army progress, sources say
Sources say the firings have left five active-duty four-star generals and slowed Army efforts to counter drone warfare and other battlefield threats.
On Tuesday, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned, calling it the "honor of a lifetime" to serve under President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid reported tensions over leadership direction.
Multiple sources told CNN that Hegseth is damaging the Army's modernization efforts by firing leaders who disagree with his focus on culture wars, prioritizing his own image of the "American warfighter" over strategic adaptation.
Without public explanation, Hegseth fired leaders including George and Hodne in April. Experts warn this approach is "disrupting" and "losing momentum" on the 21st century battlefield where drone warfare is increasingly critical to the Army.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell rejected claims that Hegseth ignores modernization, calling them a "total fabrication." Parnell stated the "entire Department is unified" behind the secretary's vision of "Peace Through Strength."
Amid the leadership turnover, LaNeve released an Army azimuth in August "outlining the way forward for the Army and establishing the Army's focus." The Army referred questions about recent events to this document.