'Clowns out, cowboys in,' says Hegseth as a fifth of generals and admirals are fired

September 30, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the dismissal of approximately 20% of the U.S. military's top leadership, affecting over 160 generals and admirals from a pool of more than 800 active-duty flag officers. In a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, he characterized these firings as necessary "accountability" rather than a purge, while promoting what he calls a "warrior ethos" and rejecting diversity initiatives he deems too "woke. " Hegseth also unveiled several new military programs, including an Autonomous Warfare Command focused on AI-enhanced robotics, an Office of Religious Affairs, and plans for a new American military base.

Who is affected

Approximately 20% of active-duty generals and admirals across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force (roughly 160+ officers from a pool of 800+)
At least 20 generals, admirals, and civilian military leaders terminated or resigned, including the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and top uniformed officials in the Army, Navy, and Air Force
Transgender people, overweight people, and people with beards (specifically excluded from military service)
Black service members and women (accused of having promotions blocked by civil rights groups including the NAACP and National Women's Law Center)
Military leaders who disagreed with Hegseth's changes

What action is being taken

Firing 20% of top military leadership
Rebranding the Defense Department as the Department of War
Creating an Autonomous Warfare Command for procurement of AI-enhanced robotics and drones
Establishing a new Office of Religious Affairs to protect budgets, demand infrastructure, and strengthen religious support
Soliciting proposals from U.S. states for a new American military base

Why it matters

This represents an unprecedented overhaul of U.S. military leadership that affects national defense readiness and military culture. The scale of dismissals exceeds those of previous defense secretaries and removes decades of experienced leadership from senior positions. The changes raise concerns about discrimination in promotions based on race and gender, potentially undermining meritocracy and morale. The shift away from diversity initiatives and toward what Hegseth characterizes as a "warrior ethos" fundamentally alters the military's values and priorities. These personnel and policy changes could impact military effectiveness, decision-making capabilities, and the department's relationship with diverse service members and civil society.

What's next

U.S. states are being invited to submit proposals for hosting "the next great American [military] base"
A new cadets program partnering with U.S. universities will be implemented
The Autonomous Warfare Command will begin procuring robotics and drones for warfare
The Office of Religious Affairs will begin operations to protect budgets and strengthen religious support

Read full article from source: BBC