Hegseth Dismisses Members of Pentagon Advisory Boards

Source: WSJ

WASHINGTON—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has discharged members of Pentagon advisory boards on defense policy and military technology, adding to the upheaval during his time at the Pentagon, current and former officials said.

In a memo explaining the dismissals at the Defense Policy Board, the Defense Science Board and other advisory panels, Hegseth wrote that the Pentagon requires “fresh thinking to drive bold changes.” It isn’t unusual for a new administration to change the membership of the advisory panels. But Hegseth is directing the wholesale dismissals of board members at several panels.

The panels are made up of former officials, industry executives, academics, scientists and engineers, and have long provided independent and bipartisan analysis and advice to the Defense Department.

“We were thanked for our service,” Michael O’Hanlon, a Brookings Institution defense expert who served on the Defense Policy Board until he was discharged this past week. Several panel members have sent Hegseth a memo on defense issues but haven’t received a response, he said.


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