WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; issued the following statement in response to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s directive to eliminate 20 percent of active-duty four-star generals and admirals, 20 percent of all general officers in the National Guard, and 10 percent of all other active-duty general and flag officers.
“As I have said many times, I stand ready to work with the Department of Defense to address the need for greater efficiency. Previously, Congress and the Department worked together to implement phased reductions to the number of general and flag officers by 2021. However, I’m skeptical of Secretary Hegseth’s announcement of sweeping plans to cut military leadership across the Services because it lacks both data-driven analysis and an explanation of the desired end-state. As a result, his proposal has raised more questions than it answers.
“Does it make sense to make these cuts on the heels of the previous reductions? Is this part of a larger budget and national security strategy? Or is this an arbitrary gutting of military leadership?
“Secretary Hegseth needs to explain to the public and Congress the analysis and justification supporting the proposed eliminations, as well as provide his plans for the total military force structure. Until he does so, I will remain skeptical of this approach.”
“As I have said many times, I stand ready to work with the Department of Defense to address the need for greater efficiency. Previously, Congress and the Department worked together to implement phased reductions to the number of general and flag officers by 2021. However, I’m skeptical of Secretary Hegseth’s announcement of sweeping plans to cut military leadership across the Services because it lacks both data-driven analysis and an explanation of the desired end-state. As a result, his proposal has raised more questions than it answers.
“Does it make sense to make these cuts on the heels of the previous reductions? Is this part of a larger budget and national security strategy? Or is this an arbitrary gutting of military leadership?
“Secretary Hegseth needs to explain to the public and Congress the analysis and justification supporting the proposed eliminations, as well as provide his plans for the total military force structure. Until he does so, I will remain skeptical of this approach.”
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