Pete Hegseth is removing personnel from the Pentagon.

What we found

Supports. AP and The Hill (Oct 2026) report Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia as head of the Joint Staff J5, the second general ousted from that post under Hegseth.[1][3]

Supports. Washington Examiner (April 2026) reports Hegseth forced out Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George and also fired Gen. David Hodne and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr. before the September post date.[4]

Supports. AP reports Hegseth's tenure has seen nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other military leaders fired, forced to retire or otherwise depart, and The Hill counts more than two dozen senior officers pushed out.[5][6]

Supports. Reuters (Sept 29, 2026) reports Hegseth planned a 20% cut in general and flag officer billets, a further sign of personnel reductions, though published after the post date.[2]

Sources

6 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 1 tier 1, 3 not rated

1. 1Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner even as Trump considers new Iran strikesapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
2. 2Pentagon chief set to announce additional cuts in senior ...reuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
3. 3Hegseth ousted top military strategist from Pentagon, sources saythehill.com · tier 1 · cited for: supports
4. 4Hegseth's transformation of the Pentagon continues apacewashingtonexaminer.com · not rated · cited for: supports
5. 5Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner even as Trump considers new Iran strikestimesunion.com · not rated · cited for: supports
6. 6Hegseth ousted top military strategist from Pentagon, ...abc27.com · not rated · cited for: supports

Where this claim was made

Said in 1 published post

• The Rob Carson Show · Sep 7, 2026“I know that Hegzeth is getting rid of a lot of, a lot of dead weight at the Pentagon.”Post →

Related claims

• Pete Hegseth holds a position within the Department of Defense.True
• Pete Hegseth is currently serving as the head of the Department of Defense.True