Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated in an interview aired Thursday that current Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is \"undermining the strength\" of the U.S. military through leadership changes. Speaking on CNN’s \"The Situation Room,\" Panetta, who also served as CIA Director under the Obama administration, argued that the removal of experienced commanders creates turmoil that damages the military's ability to function during a time of war. Panetta's remarks follow a series of high-level departures at the Pentagon, including the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll earlier this week.
The tension comes amid an ongoing war with Iran that has depleted U.S. stockpiles of long-range interceptors. During his 19-plus months in office, Hegseth has prioritized a \"warrior ethos\" and higher physical standards while seeking to impose his will on the Department of Defense. His tenure has seen the April ouster of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the blocking of promotions for four officers with ties to branch officials he sacked, and the recent removal of six Army officers from consideration for two-star general roles.
Panetta further criticized the administration's handling of the Iran conflict, stating that officials appeared surprised when Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz—an outcome he claimed was central to long-standing military contingency plans. In a previous interview, Panetta also addressed Hegseth's public use of religious language, suggesting that invoking faith during operations \"confuses the mission\" for service members. Hegseth has defended his approach as freeing \"war fighters\" from Pentagon bureaucracy, while some Republican lawmakers, including outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), have recently called for his dismissal.
For the American public and military families, these developments coincide with military depletion. Munition stockpiles, including Tomahawk and Patriot missiles, have been significantly lowered after hitting an estimated 15,000 targets in Iran. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a global recession if fuel disruptions continue. Military personnel are also facing extended deployments, with some units serving over four months since initial movements to Venezuela before the Iran conflict began.
The situation highlights the level of control a Secretary of Defense may exert over the professional military promotion system. The effects include a potential legislative clash between the White House and Congress, as Democrats and some Republicans discuss War Powers resolutions to address the conflict's duration. What happens next depends on whether President Trump retains Hegseth following calls for his firing and how the administration responds to the stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz, where clearing mines could take up to six months once a decision is made to reopen the waterway.