SynopsisUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces intense scrutiny over allegations of damaging military morale and sidelining expertise. Critics claim his leadership style prioritizes loyalty over experience, leading to high-profile departures of senior commanders. Decisions, including a massive defense budget and controversial weapons systems, are reportedly made without adequate military counsel, sparking internal dissent and a public approval slump.ReutersUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Barely a year and a half into his tenure as US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth has emerged as one of the most divisive Pentagon leaders in recent history. While supporters argue he is delivering on President Donald Trump's promise to eliminate bureaucracy, restore military readiness, and remove what they describe as ideological distractions from the armed forces, critics inside the Defense Department paint a starkly different picture. According to a recent Daily Mail report, multiple current Pentagon officials allege that Hegseth's leadership style has damaged morale, driven out respected commanders, and created an environment where political loyalty increasingly outweighs military expertise. The Pentagon has rejected many of these claims.According to the outlet, anonymous Defense Department officials say the expression "because I said so" has become shorthand for what they describe as a top-down management style in which major personnel and policy decisions are made with little regard for professional military advice. Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez dismissed the allegation, calling it "false".The controversy has intensified following a series of high-profile leadership departures. Since taking office, Hegseth has overseen the exit of more than a dozen senior generals and admirals, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown Jr., former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief General Jim Slife, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, Naval Special Warfare commander Rear Admiral Milton Sands, Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin, and Army Chief Chaplain Major General William Green Jr. According to the Daily Mail, the latest departure to alarm many within the military was that of General Christopher "CD" Donahue, a decorated combat commander, former Delta Force leader, and the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021. Pentagon officials told the newspaper they viewed his retirement as effectively forced and described it as a severe blow to morale. The report also points to the earlier removal of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George. Officials quoted by the outlet claim George repeatedly clashed with Hegseth over officer promotions and military planning. They further allege Hegseth blamed George for criticism surrounding US munitions stockpiles after operations in the Middle East. Publicly, Hegseth has argued that concerns about depleted weapons inventories have been exaggerated, despite previously acknowledging before Congress that replenishing certain stockpiles could take months or even years.Perhaps the most serious allegation made by officials interviewed by the Daily Mail is that professional military judgment is increasingly being sidelined. One anonymous Army officer told the newspaper that "expertise, intelligence, lessons learned, data are out the window," while another claimed Hegseth has surrounded himself with officers perceived as loyal to President Trump and unlikely to challenge his decisions. The officials argue this has created a culture where disagreement is discouraged and experienced commanders fear speaking candidly. These claims remain unverified and have been denied by Pentagon leadership.The criticism extends beyond personnel decisions. Officials also questioned the administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, which represents more than a 40% increase over the previous year's spending. Some insiders reportedly objected to plans to spend roughly $1 billion on a proposed "Golden Fleet" of Trump-class battleships, arguing that such investments fail to reflect the realities of modern warfare, where drones, precision missiles, cyber capabilities, and autonomous systems play an increasingly dominant role. Others also expressed concerns about the cost and strategic value of the proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system.The Daily Mail also cited internal criticism over Hegseth's handling of a deadly drone attack on a US base in Kuwait that killed six American service members. According to the report, survivors disputed Hegseth's public description of the attack as a limited breach of a fortified facility, with one anonymous official calling his remarks "the single most insulting and corrosive move" they had witnessed from a defense secretary. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended Hegseth's account, stating it remained accurate.Public opinion appears to reflect some of the controversy. A Daily Mail poll found Hegseth recording the lowest approval rating among eight prominent Trump administration officials, placing him nine points underwater in net approval.Read More News onRead More News on