Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday sharply criticized current Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, accusing him of "undermining the strength" of the U.S. military through his aggressive reshaping of the armed forces' leadership.
Speaking on CNN's The Situation Room with host Wolf Blitzer, Panetta said, "I think the secretary is undermining the strength of our military — and particularly the Army — by creating the kind of turmoil in the command structure that he's been creating."
Hegseth, who has held the top Pentagon job for over 19 months, has championed a "warrior ethos" and pushed for higher physical standards across the services. But his tenure has been marked by repeated upheaval in the senior ranks as he seeks to impose his vision on the department.
The latest shakeup came this week when Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a close ally of Vice President Vance, resigned after months of friction with Hegseth. Earlier, Hegseth ousted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April and has blocked promotions for four Army officers tied to those he dismissed. This week, he also removed six Army officers from consideration for two-star general posts, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Panetta, who led the Pentagon and CIA during the Obama administration, argued that Hegseth is dismantling the "command structures" that bring "experience and leadership to the position." He warned that such moves leave the U.S. vulnerable, especially as the ongoing war with Iran has drained the Pentagon's stockpiles of long-range interceptors.
"It isn't the Secretary that is leading those people on the battlefield, it is those commanders," Panetta told Blitzer. "And when you get rid of those commanders, and when you get rid of the secretary of the Army, what you do is you create turmoil, which damages the ability of the Army to do its job, particularly at a time of war."
The criticism adds to a growing chorus of Republican lawmakers voicing concerns over Hegseth's leadership. Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called Hegseth "inept" on Wednesday and urged President Trump to fire him. The backlash against Hegseth has been building as the Pentagon faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts.
Panetta's remarks underscore a broader worry among national security veterans that the turmoil at the top of the Pentagon is eroding military readiness and morale. As the U.S. continues to support Ukraine and manage the conflict with Iran, the stability of the command structure is seen as critical.
The former defense secretary's blunt assessment reflects a deep concern that Hegseth's approach, while aimed at instilling a more aggressive warrior culture, is instead creating dysfunction that could have lasting consequences for the nation's defense.
