Pete Hegseth Faces Backlash Over Military Purges and Fitness
War Secretary Pete Hegseth faces criticism for purging military personnel and mocking fitness standards after struggling during a training exercise in San Diego.
President Donald Trump appointed Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense, which has been officially renamed the War Department. Since taking office, Hegseth has pursued a policy of removing individuals he characterizes as "weirdos," "beardos," and "fatties" from the U.S. military. As part of an effort to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices, Hegseth removed four Army colonels—two women and two Black men—from a brigadier general promotion list, overriding objections from then-Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
Hegseth has further advocated for mandatory testosterone screening for personnel over 30, the accelerated development of autonomous robotics, and a strict "warrior ethos." However, his leadership has drawn scrutiny from Senator Chris Coons for allowing his wife to attend high-level intelligence briefings, and the Wall Street Journal editorial board has described his attacks on personnel as "gratuitous potshots" that could damage recruiting.
Public criticism intensified after footage emerged from San Diego showing Hegseth struggling to keep pace with Marines during a training exercise while visiting the USS Abraham Lincoln. Video of the secretary appearing breathless during pull-ups and trailing behind jogging service members prompted ridicule from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and former Republican Barbara Comstock. The Lincoln Project PAC specifically highlighted the incident as a contradiction to Hegseth's own stated desire for "no fatties" in the service.
