The sudden dismissal of a senior Pentagon official who publicly contradicted Donald Trump has ignited a political firestorm in Washington, with critics accusing the president of undermining national security for personal gain.
Air Force Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was dismissed from his role after his agency produced a report contradicting Trump’s claim that U.S. strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. General Kruse was appointed by the Biden administration.
The preliminary assessment, leaked in June, concluded the strikes set Tehran back only by months, sparking White House anger. Trump rejected the report.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly cited “loss of confidence” as a reason for the firing, according to The New York Times. The firing was first reported by TheWashington Post.
“We can confirm that Lt. Gen. Kruse is no longer the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Deputy Director Christine Bordine assumes the role of Acting Director of DIA effective immediately,” a DIA spokesperson told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The firing of Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse highlights the deepening clash between fact-based intelligence and political loyalty under President Trump. By ousting the Defense Intelligence Agency’s director after his agency produced an assessment that contradicted the White House narrative on Iran, the administration risks silencing independent analysis at a moment of high geopolitical tension.
What To Know
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, sharply criticized the firing of Kruse, calling it part of “the Trump administration’s dangerous habit of treating intelligence as a loyalty test rather than a safeguard for our country.”
Warner said Kruse, “a career military officer with decades of distinguished, nonpartisan service,” was removed after his agency issued an assessment that contradicted President Trump’s claim to have “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. He warned that “when expertise is cast aside and intelligence is distorted or silenced, our adversaries gain the upper hand and America is left less safe.”
A 34-year veteran, Kruse had long served in senior intelligence posts from Afghanistan to the Indo-Pacific.
His removal comes amid broader Trump administration frustrations with the DIA, including slow development of its MARS data system and criticism from Elon Musk‘s efficiency team, which branded the agency bloated.
Kruse is the second top military intelligence official removed under Trump, following the spring ouster of NSA chief General Timothy Haugh.
The administration has also fired Air Force Gen CQ Brown Jr as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the navy’s top officer, the air force’s second highest-ranking officer, and the top lawyers for three military service branches.
No public explanations have been offered by the Pentagon for any of these firings, though some of the officers were believed by the administration to endorse diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
What Happens Next
The firing leaves uncertain whether Kruse will remain in the Air Force or retire.
The agency’s deputy director, Christine Bordine, will assume the role of acting DIA director.
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