WASHINGTON (Realist English). U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star generals and admirals across the U.S. Armed Forces, according to a memorandum signed on May 5 and obtained by CNN. The move is part of a broader effort to trim what Hegseth describes as an “overgrown and ideologically compromised” military leadership.
As of 2023, the U.S. military had 37 active-duty four-star officers. In addition to this cut, Hegseth directed a 20% reduction in the general officer ranks of the National Guard and an approximate 10% cut across all general and flag officers holding one star or more — a category that currently includes around 900 individuals.
“This is a critical step toward eliminating redundancies and streamlining command,” Hegseth wrote in an explanatory note attached to the memo.
The downsizing plan has been in development since early 2025 and is a key pillar of the Trump administration’s campaign to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. One proposal under consideration is the merger of U.S. European and African Commands.
During Senate hearings, Hegseth criticized the Pentagon’s senior ranks as “top-heavy” and accused a substantial portion of generals of political bias. “Roughly a third of them are actively engaged in political games, while the rest comply in silence,” he said during a recent podcast appearance.
He also condemned the military’s involvement in “social agendas, gender programs, and climate initiatives,” claiming that many officers support such policies for personal advancement. “These are not warfighting priorities,” he argued.
Since January 2025, the Trump administration has carried out sweeping personnel changes across the defense establishment. In February, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chief of Naval Operations were both dismissed. That same evening, Hegseth announced plans to replace all senior military legal officers — the Judge Advocates General of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
