Pentagon is Preparing Open Letter Calling for Resignation of the Secretary of Defense

In the United States, defense officials are preparing a collective statement on the incompetence of current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

DailyMail.com reported this, citing unnamed Pentagon officials.

Since May, drafts of an open letter have been circulating among high-ranking military and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense, designed to “inform the American public that this guy has no idea what he’s doing.”

Three officials spoken to mentioned that a small group of representatives from all branches of the military, except the Coast Guard, and a few civilians have joined together to publish an open letter calling for the secretary’s resignation. They decided that the message would be more effective if it were signed by active rather than retired Defense Ministry employees.

The participants gave themselves a few months to agree on the text of the joint letter, which they planned to send to the media or distribute online – on social media or a special website. It was scheduled to be published on Friday, July 25, the six-month anniversary of Ghegseth’s tenure.

Although the letter is ready, the organizers have not yet decided whether to publish it with the signatures of only a few people willing to risk their careers or to find a way to ensure anonymity for more signatories.

Sean Parnell, the department’s chief spokesman, responded to the news by defending his boss and characterizing the letter as “intrigue” or “sensationalized mainstream media gossip” that, in his words, Americans “don’t care about.”

Act of no confidence

The letter accuses the defense secretary of issuing orders and formulating policy without considering – or even listening to – the arguments of intelligence, security, and legal advisors.

According to insiders, the department is in chaos and disorganization due to Pete Hegseth’s inattention to important processes, indecision, and contradictory approaches to numerous issues, including the US role in space and the schedule for the construction of the Golden Dome missile defense system, a priority for the US president.

They also pointed to his obsession with public image, mentioning the creation of a makeup studio at the Pentagon, staged photo shoots with barbell lifting and push-ups, and a new policy on hairstyles and shaving in the military.

‘He has branded himself the epitome of his so-called ‘warrior ethos’ that he’s always talking about,’ one insider said, adding that Hegseth appears to be reshaping the military into ‘a cross between a sweat lodge and WWE.’

Insiders described the Secretary’s deep distrust of military and civilian employees, especially senior officials who dare to criticize violations of procedures or disregard for institutional memory. His obsession with exposing “moles” and critics has paralyzed bureaucratic work, halted key processes, and created a climate of paranoia in the building.

An official told the newspaper that employees feel compelled to attend Christian services organized by Hegseth during work hours, although these services are officially voluntary.

Hegseth has also implemented a grooming policy, including detailed instructions on shaving. According to the policy, soldiers with skin conditions that cause irritation from shaving (mostly among black men) can be discharged from the military.

One of the insiders, referring to the current tense situation in Europe, Asia, and a full-scale war in the Middle East, said: “All this is happening, and he’s focusing on his shaving pimples. Seriously?”

Another interlocutor cited the deployment of some 4,000 National Guard troops to quell protests in Los Angeles as an example of how Hegseth ignored the opinion of his department.

‘Nobody in the building thought that was a wise idea,’ one of the insiders said.

Six months as defense secretary

In his first six months at the Pentagon, the new secretary became famous for a scandal involving a leaked plan for airstrikes against Yemeni Houthis that was published in the Signal group chat.

The scandal, nicknamed “Signalgate,” led to the dismissal of two of Hegseth’s top aides and the deputy minister’s chief of staff. Trump eventually fired National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, who organized the chat.

It was also reported that Hegseth shared classified information about the attack with his brother, lawyer, and wife in a second Signal chat.

In the course of six months, the new Secretary of Defense has blocked military aid to Ukraine three times without proper coordination with the White House. The most recent case occurred earlier this month and resulted in a shortage of anti-aircraft missiles. Earlier, in February and May, he also limited supplies, but his decisions were quickly reversed.