Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Wednesday over his treatment of the military’s senior officers, calling the firing and stalled promotions of dozens of generals and admirals “indefensible.”
Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, delivered the rebuke during an appearance on CNN after anchor Brianna Keilar asked about Hegseth’s plans to slash the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals by 20%.
“I have grave concerns about the firing or withholding promotions to 80 generals and admirals,” Bacon said. “And I think it’s indefensible.”
“He may have a legal right to do it as the Secretary of Defense, but it doesn’t make it morally right. It doesn’t make it wise,” Bacon continued. “And I think it’s hurt the military.”
Bacon said he has spent time around active-duty service members in recent weeks and has personally heard “concerns and complaints from the ranks.”
While the Republican lawmaker acknowledged that the Pentagon may be “overstaffed,” he warned against slashing senior officers across the military.
“It’s important to have the right general at the right rank representing our country in those situations,” Bacon added Wednesday. “So I wouldn’t recommend just taking a cleaver and knocking off 20% of the generals and admirals.”
Hegseth’s planned cuts are expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2027.
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