Frank Kendall accused Pete Hegseth of politicizing the military

Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of attempting to politicize the U.S. military, warning that the Pentagon chief's personnel decisions are causing 'long-term serious damage' to the U.S. military. Kendall's criticism came amid fresh upheaval at the Pentagon following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's resignation and growing scrutiny of Hegseth's leadership. The former Biden administration official said the scale of senior military departures and interventions in promotions is creating a climate of fear among officers of the armed forces. Frank Kendall warns of politicization within the ranks Frank Kendall said he has never seen the armed forces being subjected to political pressure of this extent. BY: MEGA Speaking on ABC News' This Week on Sunday, September 6, Kendall, who served as Air Force secretary under former President Joe Biden, said he had witnessed multiple changes of administration during his decades of military and Pentagon service. However, he added that he has never seen the armed forces being subjected to political pressure of this extent. 'I've never seen an attempt to politicize our military like the one being conducted by Pete Hegseth,' Kendall said. 'He's fired 25, roughly, senior officers. He's pulling people off of promotion lists. And that effect is rippling all the way down through the ranks.' Kendall argued that as a result of the changing climate in the Pentagon, officers have become reluctant to offer candid advice to the defense secretary out of fear. 'It's causing people to be afraid and refuse, and, in many cases, I think he's not getting good advice because people are afraid to tell him things that he doesn't want to hear,' he said. 'Long-term serious damage is being done to our military.' DanDriscoll resignation deepens Pentagon turmoil The criticism followed Dan Driscoll's resignation after months of reported tensions with Pete Hegseth. BY: MEGA The criticism followed Driscoll's resignation after months of reported tensions with Hegseth. Driscoll, who had served as Army secretary since February 2025 and maintained close ties to Vice President J.D. Vance, had taken a prominent role in the modernization of the armed forces and diplomatic efforts concerning the war in Ukraine. Prior to stepping down, Driscoll reportedly raised concerns about Hegseth's firing of senior officers and efforts to block promotions. In his public departure statement, however, Driscoll thanked both President Donald Trump and Hegseth, writing, 'Our Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families are our Nation's very best, and they have inspired me every day. … We could not have made the progress we did without the support of Secretary Hegseth. I am forever grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to once again serve my country.' Senior departures under Pete Hegseth fuel concerns Pete Hegseth has overseen a significant reshaping of the Pentagon's senior leadership. BY: MEGA Hegseth has overseen a significant reshaping of the Pentagon's senior leadership, including the removal or departure of prominent officers such as former Joint Chiefs Chair Charles Q. Brown Jr., former Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and former Army Chief of Staff Randy George. Critics have also pointed to the departures of Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin and Army Europe and Africa commander Christopher Donahue. Supporters argue that a new administration has the authority to install leaders who share its priorities, while critics say that repeated departures can undermine morale, succession planning and institutional expertise. 'I couldn't serve this administration' Asked whether he could serve in the current administration, Frank Kendall replied, 'I couldn't serve this administration.' BY: MEGA Kendall said senior officers have a duty to challenge actions they consider improper. 'There's an obligation on our officers, particularly our senior officers, who interact directly with the senior political leadership to tell them the truth and to stand up to them when they want to do something which is morally wrong, unethical or illegal,' he said, adding, 'As we approach the midterms, I'm worried that all of our guardrails are gone." Asked whether he could serve in the current administration, he replied, 'I couldn't serve this administration.' Criticism of Hegseth has also intensified in the Republican camp. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, urged Trump to replace Hegseth, writing, 'I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country.' Meanwhile, Rep. Don Bacon, a former Air Force brigadier general, said Hegseth 'would not be on my team.'