Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just dropped a bombshell, axing three senior Pentagon officials in a move that’s got the military buzzing.
Fox News reported that Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, and Rear Adm. Milton Sands were shown the door, and it’s no secret why—at least for Kruse. The Trump administration’s bold shake-up signals a no-nonsense approach to aligning the Pentagon with its priorities.
Hegseth fired Kruse, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, after a leaked report questioned the success of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
The strikes, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, hit Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in June. This purge, alongside others, shows the administration’s intolerance for dissent that undermines its narrative.
The DIA’s assessment claimed the strikes only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by months, not years. President Trump, however, called the operation “very successful,” insisting Iran’s nuclear facilities were “completely and fully obliterated.” That’s a stark contrast, and it’s clear Hegseth wasn’t thrilled with the DIA’s less-than-glowing review.
Kruse’s ousting seems tied to that leaked DIA report, which dared to challenge the administration’s victory lap. Trump doubled down, saying, “You want to call it destroyed, you want to call it defeated, you want to call it obliterated — choose your word.”
The report’s leak likely sealed Kruse’s fate, as loyalty appears to trump nuance in this Pentagon. Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, who led 59,000 Navy and Marine Corps reservists, was also sacked.
A seasoned aviator with 1,300 flight hours and prior command in Djibouti, her dismissal came without explanation. The Navy simply stated, “Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore will no longer serve as the Chief of Navy Reserve.”
Rear Adm. Milton Sands, a Navy SEAL with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, got the same curt goodbye. The Navy announced, “Rear Admiral Milton ‘Jamie’ Sands III will no longer serve as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command.” No reasons were given, leaving observers to wonder what prompted this abrupt exit.
Sands’ resume is stacked—Chief of Staff for U.S. Special Operations Command, commander in Africa, and head of Naval Service Training Command.
Yet, like Lacore, his firing lacks a clear rationale. The silence on these dismissals fuels speculation about deeper motives within the administration.
Hegseth’s moves fit a broader trend of the Trump administration clearing out senior military brass. Recent months saw Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the Joint Chiefs chairman, along with the Navy’s top officer, the Air Force’s No. 2, and top lawyers for three service branches, all sent packing. This isn’t just housekeeping—it’s a deliberate reshaping of the Pentagon’s leadership.
Hegseth didn’t mince words, accusing the press of rooting against Trump’s success. “You cheer against Trump so hard,” he said, claiming the media hopes the strikes were ineffective. His fiery rhetoric suggests these firings are as much about messaging as they are about policy.
Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program was “completely and fully obliterated” clashes with the DIA’s sobering take.
The agency’s assessment, suggesting a mere months-long setback, undercuts the administration’s triumphant tone. It’s no surprise Hegseth moved swiftly to remove Kruse, whose agency dared to publish such a contrarian view.
The strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were meant to cripple Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Yet, the DIA’s leak revealed a less decisive outcome, prompting questions about the operation’s true impact. This disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and the DIA’s findings likely stoked Hegseth’s frustration.
Lacore’s leadership of the Navy Reserve was notable, overseeing a massive force of reservists. Her prior role in Djibouti showcased her strategic chops, yet her sudden exit leaves a void. The lack of clarity on her firing feels like a missed opportunity to justify such a high-profile decision.
Sands, a decorated SEAL, brought hard-earned experience from multiple combat zones and command roles. His removal, like Lacore’s, came without explanation, which only deepens the mystery. The Navy’s terse statements offer no hints, leaving room for speculation about internal politics or strategic shifts.
Hegseth’s accusation that the press is biased against Trump’s successes points to a broader distrust of critical voices.
“It’s like in your DNA and in your blood to cheer against Trump,” he said. This suggests the firings may be less about performance and more about enforcing a unified front.
