{
  "id": 11015030,
  "title": "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Announce More Sweeping Cuts to the Military's Top Ranks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-to-announce-more-sweeping-cuts-to-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T18:58:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/09/30/hegseth-pentagon-us-military-generals-admirals-cuts/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to announce on Wednesday plans to reduce the number of general and admiral positions in the U.S. military by an additional 20%, as reported by multiple news outlets. This announcement follows the completion of the 10% cuts he mandated last year, with military services required to finalize the reductions by January 1, 2027. Some affected roles may be downgraded instead of eliminated. Hegseth is set to address the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Wednesday, where he is expected to reveal the new reductions. The decision to cut these high-ranking roles stems from ongoing turmoil within the military’s leadership, with at least 20 military and civilian leaders either removed or resigned since Hegseth became Defense Secretary. In 2025, Hegseth previously directed the military to eliminate 20% of its four-star general officers and 20% of National Guard top officials, claiming the reductions would streamline leadership and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic layers. The Defense Secretary has faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans over his handling of the Department of Defense, including allegations of mishandling the Iran war and impeachment attempts. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Thom Tillis have publicly voiced opposition to Hegseth’s management of the military.",
  "summary": "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to unveil plans to reduce the number of general and admiral roles in the U.S. military by 20%.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}