Pentagon staff prepare open letter demanding Hegseth's dismissal: 'he cares more about appearance than about the functioning of the army'

As it became known Dailymail, a campaign against the current head of the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is brewing among a number of officials in the Pentagon. They are preparing an open letter with accusations against the head of the department.

Photo: Ivan Cholakov | Dreamstime.com

Since May, drafts of a letter have been circulating among senior military and civilian officials in the Defense Department that describe Hegseth as someone who "has no idea what he's doing."

One official said: "We want the American public to know: This man is incompetent."

Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell defended Hegseth, calling the situation "palace intrigue" and a media scramble for sensationalism that he believes Americans don't care about: "People want action, not gossip," he said in a statement.

On the subject: Journalist accidentally added to secret chat of US officials discussing attack on Yemen

Anonymous sources and reasons for dissatisfaction

Three Pentagon officials — two military and one civilian, each with more than 20 years of Pentagon service — agreed to comment on the condition of anonymity. They fear not only losing their jobs but also criminal prosecution by the Donald Trump administration. They also don’t want to be replaced by less experienced but more loyal people.

The letter calling for Hegseth's resignation has not yet been made public and is not expected to be released until next week, sources said. It contains complaints about politicized decision-making, managerial chaos in the department, low morale and a climate of paranoia fueled by Hegseth's obsession with suppressing dissent.

The complaints include an excessive focus on "image" and image. Sources cite a makeup studio installed at the Pentagon building at Hegseth's initiative, staged photo shoots of him lifting weights with other service members, and new appearance requirements, including mandatory shaving.

"He's trying to embody his own ideas about the army, but he's turning it into something between a doubles match and wrestling," said one of the people.

Bypassing Advisors and Management Chaos

Hegseth is also accused of making decisions without consulting intelligence, legal and security experts. The sources say the department is plagued by indecisiveness and inconsistency on issues such as the U.S. military’s role in space and the implementation of the Golden Dome missile defense system, a top Trump priority.

One source added that subordinates are even prohibited from having internal contacts without an obvious reason, creating an atmosphere of fear. Suspicion is especially strong towards experienced employees.

The obsession with identifying “leaks” and critics has led to administrative paralysis and paranoia, according to interviewees. One official said that employees feel pressured to attend mandatory Christian prayers during work hours, which are technically voluntary.

Show is more important than substance

Many defense officials criticize Hegseth's "showy gestures." "He wants everyone to be as fit as he is. But he wants everyone to see it," one said.

New rules, such as those on shaving, could lead to soldiers being discharged with skin conditions that cause irritation from shaving, a problem predominantly affecting black men.

"When the world is in conflict from Europe to Asia, and the entire Middle East is in the grip of war, he is dealing with the problem of overgrown hair. Seriously?" one source was indignant.

The recent mobilization of 4000 National Guard troops in response to protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids is also cited, a move that was taken against the department's wishes, the people said.

Hegseth is actively pushing to eliminate diversity, inclusion and equity programs and restore military bases previously named after generals. Confederacy. This has led to an increase in racist incidents and mistrust from non-white service members and department employees who now feel judged more harshly than their white colleagues.

The official response and “resistance from within”

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, credited Hegseth with "record numbers" in military recruitment, European allies agreeing to meet Trump's 5 percent defense spending target, and the "flawless operation" that bombed Iran's nuclear sites on June 22.

"Hegseth has successfully refocused the Department of Defense to protect the interests of the American military and taxpayers," he said in a statement. "The Department of Defense's accomplishments are a direct reflection of his decisive leadership."

But officials interviewed said that in May, a small circle of department employees (including representatives from all branches of the military except the Coast Guard and some civilians) met at a private home to discuss how to convey concerns about Hegseth to the public. They decided the message would be more powerful if signed by active-duty officers rather than veterans.

They planned to publish the letter in the media, launch a social media campaign, or post it as an open letter using the anonymity of the authors.

Scandals, leaks and the destruction of external relations

Hegseth, a former National Guard officer, raised concerns during his confirmation over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and a drinking problem. Three Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, voted against him, while Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote.

Less than two months into his tenure, a scandal erupted when a group of senior military officials discussed a strike on the Houthis in Yemen in an unsecured Signal chat room, accidentally adding an editor from The Atlantic. As a result, two of Hegseth’s closest aides and the deputy secretary of defense’s chief of staff were fired. It later emerged that Hegseth himself had shared classified information in another chat room — with his brother, his lawyer, and his wife.

Despite this, Trump continues to support Hegseth, who organized the military parade for the president that he had long dreamed of. Hegseth fully embraces the “America First” ideology.

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A clear example of Hegseth's isolationism was the sudden removal of all Pentagon speakers from the Aspen Security Forum, an annual event where bipartisans typically share views on foreign policy and security.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson accused the forum of "promoting the evils of globalism, contempt for our great country and hatred of the President of the United States."

One forum participant called the Pentagon's absence a "wake-up call" about the military's isolation. Another described the decision as "stupid and ridiculous."

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