Tuesday 15 September 2026
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Hegseth faces backlash as Pentagon shake-up deepens amid Gulf war

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll steps down after clashing with Defence Secretary over reform speed, prompting rare Republican criticism

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By LineZotpaper
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The United States military is fighting on two fronts — a war in the Gulf to prise the Strait of Hormuz from Iran's grip, and a culture war inside the Pentagon where Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing a promised shake-up. Last week, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stepped down after repeated clashes with Hegseth over the nature and pace of reform, becoming the latest in a string of senior departures. The upheaval has drawn rare public criticism from Republican Senator Thom Tillis and former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who warned it risks damaging the world's most formidable fighting force and America's global alliances.

The Pentagon is in turmoil as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth pursues a sweeping overhaul of the US military while concurrently overseeing operations in the Gulf. Last Monday, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after what sources describe as a power struggle over the speed and direction of military reform. His departure follows a pattern of top leaders being removed or sidelined under Hegseth.

Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who has frequently criticised President Donald Trump, called for Hegseth to be fired, saying: "I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country."

H.R. McMaster, who served as Trump's National Security Adviser during his first term, expressed concern about Driscoll's exit. "This is not good news for our nation, for the army," he told CBS. "Secretary Driscoll was pushing a modernisation agenda to catch the army up."

The dual pressures of a protracted conflict to secure the Strait of Hormuz and a domestic culture war are raising questions about whether the US military is being stretched too thin, and whether Hegseth's approach is leaving America's global network of alliances vulnerable.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The Pentagon is simultaneously managing a shooting war and a leadership purge, raising operational risk at a moment of high tension in the Gulf.
  • Senior civilian and military departures could disrupt modernisation efforts and morale across the armed forces.
  • Rare Republican criticism of a Trump administration defence official signals growing unease within the party about Hegseth's management.

Background

President Donald Trump's second term has seen an intensification of military operations aimed at dislodging Iranian influence in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has drawn US forces from around the globe. At home, Hegseth, a former Fox News host appointed as Defence Secretary, promised to upend what he has called a 'woke' Pentagon bureaucracy. The shake-up has targeted senior political appointees, with Dan Driscoll's departure as Army Secretary being the most prominent casualty. Driscoll, who was focused on modernising the Army, had clashed repeatedly with Hegseth over the speed and scope of reform.

Key Perspectives

Pete Hegseth (Defence Secretary): Pushing for rapid, deep reform of the Pentagon's culture and structure, viewing resistance as obstruction of President Trump's agenda. Dan Driscoll (former Army Secretary): Believed in a modernisation agenda to catch the Army up, and reportedly clashed with Hegseth on how to achieve that. Critics (Senator Tillis, H.R. McMaster): Warn that Hegseth's management is inept and damaging. They argue that removing experienced leaders mid-conflict undermines military readiness and alliance relationships.

What to Watch

  • Whether additional senior Pentagon officials resign or are removed in the coming weeks.
  • The trajectory of the Gulf war, which could escalate or face a diplomatic push depending on military and political outcomes.
  • Any further Republican senators breaking ranks to criticise Hegseth, potentially complicating Trump's defence agenda.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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