Trump Appointee Purges Top Military Leaders, Causing 'Fear' Among Brass

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's dismissals of senior officials raise concerns about politicization of the military.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 2:31pm

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President Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been systematically removing top military leaders, including the Army Secretary, Chief of Naval Operations, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and others. This purge has led to 'fear, uncertainty, and an unwillingness to speak up among senior military leaders', according to a Fox News report.

Why it matters

The dismissal of senior military officials outside of normal leadership transitions raises concerns about the politicization of the armed forces and the potential undermining of military readiness and morale. It also signals a rift between the Trump administration and military leadership.

The details

Hegseth ordered the firing of Col. Dave Butler, the Army's chief of public affairs and advisor to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who is currently negotiating the end of the war in Ukraine. Butler was previously under Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, whom Trump has been angry at. Hegseth has also blocked the promotion of 34 other officers selected by the Army. While he can't legally remove them from the list, Butler volunteered to retire to allow the others to be promoted.

  • In his first few weeks, Trump stripped Gen. Milley of his security detail and clearance.
  • Hegseth has blocked the promotion list of 34 officers for nearly 4 months.
  • Butler helped jumpstart negotiations with Driscoll in Ukraine last November.

The players

Pete Hegseth

Secretary of Defense under the Trump administration, who has been systematically removing top military leaders.

Col. Dave Butler

Army's chief of public affairs and advisor to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who was fired by Hegseth.

Gen. Mark Milley

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whom Trump has been angry at and stripped of security detail and clearance.

Dan Driscoll

Army Secretary, a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, who resisted the firing of Col. Butler.

Jennifer Griffin

Fox News' national security correspondent who reported on the purge of top military leaders.

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What they’re saying

“We greatly appreciate COL Dave Butler's lifetime of service in America's Army and to our nation. Dave has been an integral part of the Army's transformation efforts. He will be missed and I sincerely wish him tremendous success in his upcoming retirement after 28 years of service.”

— Dan Driscoll, Army Secretary

“The unexplained firings have led to fear, uncertainty, and an unwillingness to speak up among senior military leaders.”

— Jennifer Griffin, Fox News national security correspondent

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This purge of top military officials by the Trump administration's Defense Secretary raises serious concerns about the politicization of the armed forces and the potential undermining of military readiness, morale, and the traditional independence of the military from partisan politics.