Concerns emerge four-star general reduction could be ‘loyalty test’

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s ordering of at least a 20% reduction of four-star generals and admirals has raised concerns that those cuts could be weaponized to cut officers deemed insufficiently loyal to the president and secretary.

Hegseth, in a memo to senior Pentagon leadership dated Monday, directed a reduction of at least 20% of four-star positions across the Active Component, at least a 20% reduction of general officers in the National Guard, and an additional minimum of 10% cuts in general and flag officers.

The one-page memo did not specify which positions could be cut or what criteria would be used to determine which cuts to make, raising concerns among experts that it could target senior military officers who do not appear to be aligned with the president’s “America First” agenda.