Pete Hegseth 'emboldened' by firing of top military officials as he moves to 'consolidate control': report

Source: The Independent

Saturday 02 May 2026 18:26 EDT


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become “emboldened” after ousting some of the military’s most senior officials as he moves to “consolidate control” at the Pentagon, according to a report. The firing of Navy Secretary John Phelan and the Army's chief of staff Gen. Randy George was part of Hegseth’s reported pursuit to “consolidate control” of the Pentagon, leaving him “more confident than ever in his job,” The Washington Post reports.

Despite concerns from those in President Donald Trump’s inner circle, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Hegseth appears to have secured his standing within the administration amid a turbulent first year in office, the newspaper reports. “All the power has been taken away from the uniforms and 100 percent gone to the political appointees,” one official told the Post.

Phelan was removed on April 22 shortly after voicing concerns to lawmakers regarding what he characterized as a “land grab” by Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, according to the newspaper.

Phelan reportedly alleged that the Pentagon’s top leadership had usurped the Navy’s authority by imposing rigid control over shipbuilding and submarine procurement. According to people familiar with the matter, word of Phelan’s private protests reached Hegseth almost immediately. Hegseth and Feinberg subsequently presented a case for Phelan’s removal to Trump, who approved the decision.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-trump-pentagon-job-security-b2969566.html