Pete Hegseth 'emboldened' by firing of top military officials as he moves to 'consolidate control': report

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Saturday 02 May 2026 18:26 EDT


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become “emboldened” after ousting some of the military’s most senior officials as he moves to “consolidate control” at the Pentagon, according to a report. The firing of Navy Secretary John Phelan and the Army's chief of staff Gen. Randy George was part of Hegseth’s reported pursuit to “consolidate control” of the Pentagon, leaving him “more confident than ever in his job,” The Washington Post reports.

Despite concerns from those in President Donald Trump’s inner circle, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Hegseth appears to have secured his standing within the administration amid a turbulent first year in office, the newspaper reports. “All the power has been taken away from the uniforms and 100 percent gone to the political appointees,” one official told the Post.

Phelan was removed on April 22 shortly after voicing concerns to lawmakers regarding what he characterized as a “land grab” by Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, according to the newspaper.

Phelan reportedly alleged that the Pentagon’s top leadership had usurped the Navy’s authority by imposing rigid control over shipbuilding and submarine procurement. According to people familiar with the matter, word of Phelan’s private protests reached Hegseth almost immediately. Hegseth and Feinberg subsequently presented a case for Phelan’s removal to Trump, who approved the decision.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-trump-pentagon-job-security-b2969566.html

[Skittles]

1. "Independent", riiiiiiight

what is this whitewashing all about?

[orangecrush]

9. Got that right

Watch the bastard squirm


https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221215248

[lonely bird]

2. If...

The Dems take control of both houses Hegseth must be the first impeached.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

3. SecDumb Hegseth

Is moving closer and closer to being the first fragged SecDef.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

4. A more insightful article

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/03/pentagon-pete-hegseth-us-military?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Vinca]

5. Why oh why oh why was this numbskull ever confirmed?

[Roy Rolling]

6. He looked the part

It’s a reality-TV administration filled with entertainment industry rejects who are circling the drain of relevance on Fox News.

Their last career move is learning ETTD, and they shouldn’t be answering those phone-in calls from dictators.

[Seinan Sensei]

7. Hey, Pete

If we promise to build you a make up room, would you leave and go home already?

[orangecrush]

8. He doesn't look too confident here

In fact, he's squirming like a little toad


https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221215248

[Botany]

10. I forget the Admiral's name but it was something like Kirk or Keen and he told both Hog's Breath and Trump

that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz from the jump and he was fired by Pete Hog’s Breath. I
think it was Malcom Nance who said that Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz has always been a factor
when talking about hostile actions against Iran.

For the love of dog Iran is now dictating the terms of a U.S. surrender. Good job Pete.

[Nasruddin]

11. So it's a coup

And this guy is now in charge?

[pat_k]

12. Of all the horrors in the cabinet, Hegseth terrifies me the most.

Putting the might of the American military in the hands of this wanna be... I don't know. Can't think of a violent character who is stupid enough, racist enough, and misogynistic enough.

Perhaps Lobo? (A stupid, violent, cruel and disgusting character that was intended as a parody who become popular with fans who didn't actually get the joke.)

[twodogsbarking]

13. He's nuckin' futs.

[sakabatou]

14. Kegsbreath wants to be in direct control, or he wants a unitary executive or both

[DSandra]

15. Hegseth is turning the military into a Christian Nationalist militia...

Only a matter of time before they will join ICE as Trump's personal militia.

[AverageOldGuy]

16. Kegbreath is welcome . . .

. . . to become as "emboldened" as he wants, he is still an incompetent, ignorant, amoral, shit-for-brains moron who will go through the rest of his life and after with the title of worst Secretary of Defense ever.

And after I've had a couple of gin and tonic, I'll get loosened up and tell you what I REALLY think about him.

[oasis]

17. Pete Hogshit brags about how recruiting numbers

are higher than ever. He’s decimating leadership at the same time.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

18. A guy who never led anything other than a chug and puke contest wants to remake our military

[bluestarone]

19. Hate this fucker. I watched him testifying, and i thought

Why in the fuck is he allowed to speak over our Democratic reps? Jesus Christ he was like Bondi and her jaws were moving continuously!!