Pentagon staffers terrified as 'petty high school' drama ignites firing fears

Members of the military attend a meeting convened by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia, U.S., September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Pentagon staffers are grappling with a new wave of fear over potential firings, with sources telling Axios that "petty, high-school or middle-school drama" has everyone on edge.

On Friday morning, Axios released a new report describing the tense atmosphere within the Department of Defense, following the recent ousters of Navy Secretary John Phelan and Army Chief of Staff Genereal Randy George, among other high-profile firings. According to sources within the agency, "nerves are particularly charged" within the Pentagon as employees fear what might come next.

"Breakfast meetings, happy hours and group chats across Washington are abuzz with the same question: Who gets axed next?" the report explained. "At least 15 defense officials have abruptly left or been pushed out of their jobs under Trump 2.0. The exits, civilian and uniform, are the results of clashing politics, policies and personalities."

One anonymous source within the Trump administration did not mince words about the degrading vibes at the Pentagon, likening things to "petty" teenage melodrama, even invoking the famed comedy, Mean Girls.

"There's a lot of confusion and head-shaking," the official told Axios about the atmosphere this week. "It feels so much like petty, high-school or middle-school drama. You have this pervasive, 'Oh my gosh, what is the next perceived slight that is going to upset the Mean Girls.'"

The report further detailed how "Relations between Phelan and [Defense Secretary Pete] Hegseth deteriorated over time.] Hegseth allegedly resented the Navy official's direct line to President Donald Trump, and the two purportedly butted heads over shipbuilding reform disagreements.

"This infighting rages amid the Iran war. Both Navy warships and Army air defenders are under incredible pressure across the Middle East," Axios added. "One former senior military leader discussing the current climate noted that a political appointee or general can only be effective if they feel entrusted and empowered to use their judgment and make difficult choices. Trust is not running particularly high at the moment."

Concerns are now mounting at the Pentagon that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll might be next on the chopping block, owing to his contentious relationship with Hegseth. Some have considered Driscoll "untouchable" thanks to his close association with Vice President JD Vance, but given that Phelan's rapport with Trump did not save him, that line of thinking has been thrown into question.

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