Hegseth Blocks Six Army Officers, Army Secretary Driscoll Resigns

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotion of at least six more U.S. Army officers to two-star general rank, according to reports.

This action follows Hegseth obstructing four other officers from one-star promotions in August and four other Army officers (two women and two Black men) in March. Analysis by The New York Times on Monday found Hegseth has fired or blocked the promotions of more than 80 generals and admirals, representing about 10 percent of the military's top officers.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned this week after 18 months on the job, with tensions with Hegseth widely reported. Driscoll's resignation creates a leadership void, especially after Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April. Driscoll had warned the White House, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and President Donald Trump about Hegseth's widespread firing of senior military officers and efforts to block promotions.

Driscoll told Trump that Hegseth's actions were hurting the force and shrinking the pool of officers for future senior commands. Hegseth, appointed by President Trump, has stated his intention to reshape the Department of Defense with a warrior ethos, declaring, "We became the woke department. Not any more. We're done with that s***." He has criticized promoting leaders based on race, gender quotas, and historic so-called firsts, also mentioning "No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses."

Black and female officers have been disproportionately removed from promotion lists, and there are currently no active four-star women generals or admirals in the military.