Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed at least six Army officers from a promotion list for two-star general, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Hill on Tuesday. This action follows a separate decision late last week to block the promotions of four Army officers selected for one-star rank. Some of those four officers reportedly have ties to Gen. Randy George, the former Army Chief of Staff who was removed by Hegseth in April, and Gen. Chris Donahue, the former commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa who retired this summer.
The recent removals are part of a series of personnel changes overseen by Hegseth since taking office early last year. These include the firing of more than two dozen senior military officers and the removal of George and Col. David Butler, an advisor to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. In a statement, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that military promotions are awarded to those who have earned them and that this standard remains unchanged under Hegseth.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to the White House on Monday, following a months-long dispute with Hegseth. Driscoll is expected to depart after the November midterms, though a source indicated he was open to leaving around Labor Day. Hegseth told Congress in April that officers serve at the pleasure of the president and he would make the necessary calls to ensure what he described as the right leadership in the services.
These personnel decisions affect high-ranking leadership within the U.S. Army, specifically six officers awaiting two-star rank and four officers selected for one-star rank. According to reports from NBC News and The New York Times, the affected individuals include logisticians responsible for managing fuel, food, and equipment for troops, as well as two Black men and two women. The blocks halt the advancement of these individuals through a promotion system where internal selection board recommendations are contingent on the defense secretary's approval.
The impact extends to the management of the Army, which has not had a Senate-confirmed chief of staff since April. Currently, Gen. Christopher LaNeve serves as the acting chief of staff. The blocking of promotions has drawn criticism from members of both parties, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who stated that the moves threaten the meritocratic nature of the military. Conversely, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) supported the moves, citing concerns that some officers were political and noting that they serve at the president's goodwill.
Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Brian Schatz requested an independent investigation by the Pentagon Inspector General in July, alleging that Hegseth used personal views on race and gender to interfere with the merit-based vetting process. Hegseth and his allies maintain that skin color and gender are not factors in these decisions. Further developments are expected as Driscoll prepares to leave office and the Senate considers the nomination of LaNeve, who requires unanimous support from Republican senators to advance from the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Parnell, the current Pentagon spokesperson, is reportedly being considered by Hegseth to succeed Driscoll as Army Secretary. A final departure date for Driscoll has not been confirmed, though he is expected to remain in his post through the November midterm elections at the request of the White House. The Pentagon Inspector General has not yet publicly responded to the request for an investigation.