Former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stated on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fostered a "climate of fear" within the Department of Defense. Kendall’s remarks followed the resignation of Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll amid reported tension at the Pentagon.
Kendall, who served as Air Force Secretary during the Biden administration and is currently affiliated with the Center for American Progress, addressed the internal atmosphere at the Pentagon in an interview with PBS NewsHour co-anchor Geoff Bennett.
Kendall characterized the environment under Hegseth's leadership as one of significant tension. Hegseth, the current Secretary of Defense, has not publicly responded to Kendall's characterization in the provided report.
The leadership atmosphere at the Pentagon affects approximately 2.8 million military and civilian personnel who work for the Department of Defense. When high-ranking officials like the Secretary of the Army resign, it can signal internal disagreements.
For active-duty service members and civilian federal workers, leadership changes at this level often result in shifts in administrative priorities and budget allocations. While the immediate day-to-day impact on specific duties was not detailed, such high-level resignations can lead to changes in long-term strategic planning and personnel appointments.
The departure of Dan Driscoll and the assertions by Frank Kendall follow public dissent from former and departing defense officials during this administration. Next steps include potential processes for a new Secretary of the Army, though no specific dates for a replacement were reported.