Hegseth cuts 20% of US generals & admirals: Retired generals react

“The ideological clowns are out. The patriotic cowboys are in, with testosterone testing on top,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his “State of the Force” address Wednesday. Hegseth also announced a 20% cut to the US military’s generals and admirals – approximately 170 general and admiral officer slots –  by January 1. This target is double the percentage target for cutting general and flag officer positions, up from a 10% reduction of generals and admirals he had directed in a May 2025 memo.

Retired Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule reacts to Hegseth’s plan, saying that Hegseth is “controlling the next generation of military leaders to be political.” Retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton and retired Army Lt. Gen. Karen Gibson also unpack the changes promised in Hegseth’s speech.

0:00 Hegseth’s “State of the Force” address on military reforms
1:03 “Distasteful and unbecoming”: Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule (Ret.) reacts to Hegseth’s speech
6:49 CNN military analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (Ret.) on Hegseth’s plan to cut generals
9:32 Lt. Gen. Karen Gibson (Ret.) on Hegseth’s plan’s effects on readiness

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Source: CNN (video)