Hegseth could soon shoot or eliminate generals and senior officials, American officials say

The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegesh, is considering dismissing or eliminating higher generals and officers as soon as this week, according to multiple US officials and congress.

A list has been distributed in Capitol Hill that contains generals and superior officials that could be fired or eliminated, officials said.

NBC news First reported Wednesday afternoon.

Hegesh, days before President Donald Trump nominated him to direct the Department of Defense, he said in November that “Awakening” officials needed to be uprooted from the DOD.

“First of all, you have to say goodbye to the president of the joint bosses,” Hegseth said in an appearance in the “Shawn Ryan show.”

“But any general who was involved, general, Admiral, whatever, was involved in any of the Dei who woke up, has to leave,” he continued. “Or war awaits you, and that’s it. That is the only test of fire that matters to us.”

However, on his first day in the Pentagon as secretary, Hegseth seemed to soften with respect to General CQ Brown, president of the Joint Personnel Chiefs. On January 27, Brown greeted Hegseth when his caravan arrived, then shook his hand while the two exchanged jokes. With Brown by his side, Hegesh approached a line of reporters and took several questions, including an envelope if he intends to say goodbye to the general.

“I’m standing with him right now,” said Hegesh, stroking Brown on his shoulder. “I hope to work with him.”

It is not clear if Brown is on the list.

The list follows multiple US officials who tell ABC News that the Pentagon presented a separate list of employees from the Department of Defense to the Trump administration management office that could be fired, along with requests to exempt specific offices and people who reduce.

According to one of the officials, considering the critical mission is a reason for the suggested exemption, but the state of veteran and military spouse is also taking into account, according to one of the officials. The process of identifying exemptions and cuts is underway, but it is not clear when these employees could begin to receive a notice that are being triggered.

Also on Wednesday, multiple officials confirmed to ABC News that a memorandum had been sent by Hegseth to the offices and agencies of the Department of Defense that ordered that 8% of the budget for fiscal year 2026 and the four years that continue to be redirected for the President’s priorities.

“To achieve our mandate of President Trump, we are guided by his priorities, including obtain Interim Secretary of Defense Robert G. Salesses in a Wednesday statement. “Consequently, Secretary Hegseth has ordered a review that identifies the compensations of the FY26 budget of the Biden Administration that could be realized from the low-impact biden-legacy programs and low priority to align with the first priorities of America of President Trump For our national defense. “

Salesses added that the DOD will create compensations identified in the budget that could change to finance the president’s priorities for a total of $ 50 billion.

“Through our budgets, the Department of Defense will see the war of resources again and leave an unnecessary expense that will delay our military under the previous administration, even through the so -called ‘climate change’ and other programs to awaken, thus Like excessive bureaucracy, “acting,” acting “the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert G. Salesses, said in a statement on Wednesday. “The time for the preparation is over: we must act quickly to deter current and imminent threats and make the best use of taxpayers in doing so.”