There's a 'deeper problem' behind Trump's plan to fire top generals: expert

Former Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) on CNN on May 5, 2025 (Image: Screengrab via CNN / YouTube)
Former Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.), who served as an advisor to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, said Monday Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to reduce the number of four-star admirals and generals by 20 percent indicates there is a "deeper problem" within the Department of Defense (DoD).
"I don't think it's actually connected to a strategic imperative, but rather to the fact that they are looking for constant destruction," Rose said during an appearance on CNN.
The defense analyst strongly criticized the former part-time weekend Fox News host-turned-defense secretary, saying the generals he is choosing to fire are better and more experienced than him.
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"And these generals are intimidating to folks like Pete Hegseth because they have what he doesn't, which is experience and good instincts," Rose continued.
Earlier on Monday, Hegseth instructed top Pentagon officials to reduce the ranks of four-star generals and admirals by at least 20%, CNN reported Monday.
This cut applies across all branches of the military, which currently has 37 four-star officers. The directive also mandates a 20% reduction in National Guard generals and a 10% overall decrease in all general and flag officers (those ranked one-star and above), who currently number around 900.
In a video posted on the social platform X, Hegseth introduced the "historic" policy and said it is about "Less generals, More GIs."
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Watch the video below or at this link.
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