Thom Tillis Warns Pete Hegseth Against Ousting Another Top US General [View all]

Source: Newsweek

Published May 16, 2026 at 06:30 PM EDT updated May 16, 2026 at 07:50 PM EDT


Republican Senator Thom Tillis issued a warning to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over reports that he plans to sideline another top general.

Reports emerged in December that the Pentagon planned to shuffle various commands as part of an organizational restructuring. According to The Independent, this included a plan to place U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command under a new umbrella organization, U.S. International Command.

However, NOTUS reported this week that the move would effectively downgrade the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command and replace its leader, General Chris Donahue. The move is part of an overhaul of the U.S. footprint in Europe—a move that has escalated tensions between the Trump administration and NATO after the U.S. accused European allies of not doing enough to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war with Iran.

Hegseth has carried out a significant shake-up of military command since taking over at the Pentagon, ousting a dozen senior military officers as of last month. Some Republican lawmakers have increasingly spoken out about the changes taking place under Hegseth's tenure, adding rare intraparty friction to an administration already facing pressure from many quarters.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/thom-tillis-warns-pete-hegseth-ousting-top-us-general-11960084