US MILITARY CUTS NUMBER OF GENERALS AND ADMIRALS BY 20 PERCENT

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that the number of generals and admirals in the military has been cut by 20 percent, a change he linked to "accountability". He made the announcement in a "State of the Force" address to junior officers and enlisted personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Hegseth said 10 percent of generals and admirals had been fired, and the total number of general officer positions had been cut by a further 10 percent. A Pentagon official said the change would affect leadership across the Army, Navy and Air Force.

One news agency reported, citing Pentagon officials, that the move doubles a 10 percent reduction Hegseth ordered last year to the roughly 800 flag and general officer positions. That reduction is set to bring the total cut to 20 percent by 1 January 2027. Another outlet reported that the reductions could apply to any one-star general or above, or an officer of equivalent rank in the Navy. A further report said the cuts could affect the careers of hundreds of current and rising military leaders, following what it described as numerous firings and denied promotions.

President Donald Trump and Hegseth have fired, or pushed into retirement, more than two dozen military leaders since taking office in January 2025, according to reports. Those removed include the Army's top uniformed officer, General Randy George, who was dismissed in April. The administration also fired the only two women who were serving as four-star officers, along with several other senior female officers, reports said. The Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll, resigned this month after what reports described as repeated clashes with Hegseth.