Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a 20% reduction in four-star generals and admirals, slashing through the bloated top ranks to refocus the U.S. military on warfighting and national defense. This aggressive restructuring is part of President Trump’s broader plan to rebuild the armed forces—not with woke slogans, but with warriors.

Hegseth Targets Pentagon Bureaucracy

Hegseth’s sweeping directive impacts every branch of the armed forces, including the National Guard and Space Force. The number of four-star officers—currently 38—will be reduced, along with a 20% cut to National Guard generals and a 10% trim across all general and flag officer positions.

The goal: eliminate redundancy and strip out layers of leadership that have grown disconnected from battlefield realities. Hegseth’s mantra—“Less generals, more GIs”—marks a sharp departure from the bloated, top-heavy structure that ballooned under past administrations.

Military Recruitment Roars Back Under Trump

The move to streamline leadership comes as the military experiences a remarkable recruitment resurgence under Trump. After years of falling short under Biden, all service branches are now exceeding recruitment goals, with the Army reporting a 15% overage.

Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth Orders Pentagon Purge — Demands 20% Cut in Woke Four-Star Generals and Admirals Across U.S. Military

READ: https://t.co/MmjS4ySqG2 pic.twitter.com/0lU0a4BANs

— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) May 5, 2025

The message is clear: patriotism is back. Hegseth credits the recruiting success to a return to core values—honor, duty, and country—not DEI training, drag shows, or gender workshops.

“Since your election and the inauguration, what we’ve seen is nothing short of a miracle,” Hegseth told Trump at a recent Pentagon briefing.

Purge of Politicized Leadership Begins

Upon taking office, Hegseth wasted no time in cleaning house. He has already dismissed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Navy Chief, and other top officials accused of prioritizing left-wing social agendas over military readiness.

Hegseth says he plans to cut 20% of senior generals and admirals, extending Pentagon purge. pic.twitter.com/r1IPZL9bQy

— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) May 6, 2025

“These officers are climbing the ladder by checking all the wrong boxes,” Hegseth said. “They’re pushing social justice, climate hysteria, and gender theory instead of war-fighting capability.”

The overhaul also targets military legal officers allegedly involved in politically motivated prosecutions. Insiders say more firings are expected in the coming weeks as Trump’s Pentagon removes what it views as ideological rot from the ranks.

With a clear mission to restore America’s military strength and reject political distractions, Hegseth’s leadership is reshaping the Pentagon into a force that fights wars—not culture battles.

Sources:

Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth Orders Pentagon Purge — Demands 20% Cut in Woke Four-Star Generals and Admirals Across U.S. Military | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hᴏft

Hegseth orders Pentagon to cut number of senior generals by 20% | CNN Politics