Susan Collins Goes After Hegseth
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) publicly challenged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, criticizing the Pentagon’s sweeping leadership changes and questioning the removal of dozens of senior military officers since he took office.
Speaking during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Collins said she is increasingly concerned about the pace and scope of the personnel shake-up inside the Department of Defense.
Collins said in her opening remarks that she found the situation “deeply troubling,” adding, “These are men and women who volunteered to serve our country and swore an oath to support and defend our Constitution.”
The comments marked one of the strongest public criticisms Hegseth has received from a Republican senator as Congress continues reviewing the Pentagon’s budget and military priorities.
Collins Raises Concerns Over Military Leadership Changes
Collins, who is seeking another term in the Senate in a closely watched reelection race, specifically pointed to the February 2025 dismissal of Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman in U.S. history to serve as Chief of Naval Operations.
According to Collins, Hegseth has overseen the removal of more than two dozen senior military leaders while also delaying promotions across multiple branches of the armed forces and intervening in high-level officer assignments.
She argued that the rapid turnover raises legitimate questions about how military leadership decisions are being made.
Reports Spark Additional Questions
Collins also referenced reports claiming that women and minority officers have been disproportionately affected by the leadership changes.
She warned that such developments could discourage highly qualified Americans from pursuing military careers, ultimately limiting the armed forces’ ability to recruit and retain the nation’s best talent.
“The United States military is one of the greatest merit-based institutions in the free world,” Collins said. “We need to make sure that it stays that way.”
Bipartisan Concerns Grow On Capitol Hill
Questions surrounding Hegseth’s personnel decisions are no longer limited to Democrats.
Several lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern after the departures of senior officers, including former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. Chris Donahue, who previously commanded U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Supporters of the administration argue that every defense secretary has the authority to assemble a leadership team that reflects the president’s national security priorities. Critics, however, say Congress deserves greater transparency when top military leaders are removed.
Congress Pushes For More Oversight
Those concerns have already prompted action on Capitol Hill.
Last month, the House Armed Services Committee unanimously approved language in the annual National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Pentagon to notify Congress within five days whenever a senior military officer is dismissed or relieved of duty. The proposal would also require Defense Department officials to explain the reasons behind those decisions.
The measure reflects growing bipartisan interest in increasing congressional oversight of major leadership changes at the Pentagon.
As lawmakers continue debating defense spending and military policy, Hegseth’s handling of the Pentagon’s leadership ranks is expected to remain a closely watched issue in Washington.
