How Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brought the culture wars to the military

Pete Hegseth’s tenure as Secretary of Defense has triggered unprecedented institutional turmoil within the U.S. military, characterized by the systematic removal of senior leadership and the imposition of ideological purity tests. New York Times Pentagon reporter Greg Jaffe highlights that Hegseth has sidelined or fired roughly 80 general officers, disproportionately affecting Black and female commanders, while replacing them with ideological allies. These actions, coupled with controversial policies like the transgender service ban and mandatory testosterone screenings, have alienated members of Congress and stalled crucial budget requests. By prioritizing a "warrior ethos" over traditional non-partisan military standards, Hegseth has created a leadership vacuum that hampers the military's ability to address modern asymmetric threats, such as drone warfare in Iran. This shift represents a fundamental departure from established norms of civilian control and institutional stability, leaving the armed forces increasingly rudderless during a period of active conflict.