• World News
  • Politics
  • Stock
  • Investing
  • Editor’s Pick
Time And Sales Reporter
Politics

Former defense secretaries condemn Trump’s firing of senior military officials in scathing letter

by February 28, 2025
February 28, 2025

Five former defense secretaries issued a scathing letter on Thursday assailing President Donald Trump for firing the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officers. 

In an open letter published Thursday, former Defense Secretaries James Mattis, Leon Panetta, Lloyd Austin, Chuck Hagel, and William Perry urged Congress to hold immediate hearings on Trump’s recent firings of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown and several other senior military leaders. 

They said senators should ‘refuse to confirm’ any new DOD nominations in response to the firings.

In the letter, they alleged that Trump’s actions undermined ‘our all-volunteer force and weaken our national security’ and they accused the president of trying to turn the apolitical U.S. military into an instrument of partisan politics and using firings, which extend to the top Army, Navy and Air Force lawyers, to do so.

All defense secretaries but one, James Mattis, served under Democratic administrations. 

Trump announced the firings late on Friday, but his administration has yet to clarify in any detail what caused the unprecedented shakeup, which also included the dismissal of the head of the Navy, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first female officer to lead a military service.

Air Force General C.Q. Brown was only the second Black officer to become Joint Chiefs chairman and he was less than halfway through his four-year term when he was let go.

‘Mr. Trump’s dismissals raise troubling questions about the administration’s desire to politicize the military,’ they wrote. ‘We, like many Americans – including many troops – are therefore left to conclude that these leaders are being fired for purely partisan reasons.’

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment on the letter. 

The former defense secretaries called on Congress to hold hearings to ‘assess the national security implications’ of Trump’s dismissals. Republicans hold a majority in both chambers.

The letter cautioned that the actions at the Pentagon could deter Americans from choosing a life in the military, should their careers be judged through the lens of partisan politics. It could also have a chilling effect on speaking ‘truth to power,’ they cautioned.

‘We write to urge the U.S. Congress to hold Mr. Trump to account for these reckless actions and to exercise fully its Constitutional oversight responsibilities,’ they wrote.

Fox News’ Liz Friden and Reuters contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
previous post
Putin ‘doesn’t want peace,’ EU chief diplomat warns ahead of Trump, Zelenskyy deal
next post
GOP Rep. Joe Wilson trumpets ‘Make Iraq Great Again!’ message

Related Posts

Bolton may be in hot water as FBI...

August 27, 2025

EPA urged by state AGs to axe funds...

August 27, 2025

Intel rival SkyWater pitches itself as all-American firm...

August 27, 2025

House Democrats call on Rubio to allow injured...

August 27, 2025

SkyWater pitches itself as all-American firm as Trump...

August 27, 2025

Trump battles John Bolton, Chris Christie and threatens...

August 26, 2025







    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.




    Recent Posts

    • Cracker Barrel assures customers its values remain the same amid logo uproar

      August 27, 2025
    • What a stake in Intel could mean for U.S. taxpayers now and in the future

      August 27, 2025
    • Bolton may be in hot water as FBI investigation expands beyond controversial book

      August 27, 2025
    • EPA urged by state AGs to axe funds for ‘radical’ climate project accused of training judges

      August 27, 2025
    • Intel rival SkyWater pitches itself as all-American firm as Trump mulls more equity deals

      August 27, 2025
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Copyright © 2025 timeandsalesreporter.com | All Rights Reserved

    Time And Sales Reporter
    • World News
    • Politics
    • Stock
    • Investing
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    SCOOP: House to hold hearings next week on...

    March 24, 2025

    Karine Jean-Pierre ripped over ‘firing squad’ recap of...

    February 28, 2025

    Dem senator who ditched Tesla to protest Musk...

    April 2, 2025