Sen. Thom Tillis sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday over reported changes at the Pentagon, accusing the department of making reckless decisions that could weaken America’s military posture abroad and undermine confidence among U.S. allies.
In a pointed statement posted to social platform X, the North Carolina Republican condemned what he described as a troubling pattern of abrupt personnel changes and strategic withdrawals taking place under Hegseth’s leadership.
“The careless decision to reduce our force posture in Europe, along with moves by Pete Hegseth and his political henchmen to force out some of our finest general officers is amateur hour at best and deadly at worst,” Tillis wrote.
The comments followed a report from NOTUS indicating that the Pentagon plans to downgrade the Army’s top command overseeing Europe and Africa by mid-summer. The command is currently led by four-star Gen. Christopher Donahue, who became widely recognized after being photographed as the final American service member to depart Afghanistan in 2021 during the U.S. withdrawal.
According to the report, Donahue could be replaced by a three-star lieutenant general, a move that would represent a significant reduction in rank and authority for one of the military’s most visible overseas commands. NOTUS cited five individuals familiar with the deliberations surrounding the potential restructuring.
Tillis defended Donahue as “one of our nation’s finest warfighters” and warned that any effort to sideline him would send a damaging message both within the military and to America’s allies overseas.
“If true,” Tillis said, the move would represent “another step down a dangerous path.”
The senator also accused Hegseth of repeatedly alienating allies and disregarding experienced military leadership through what he portrayed as impulsive decision-making.
“Hegseth continues to surprise and disrespect our greatest allies and some of our best military professionals with impulsive decisions not grounded in reality or good judgment,” Tillis wrote.
The criticism comes as the Trump administration pushes to reduce America’s military footprint in Europe while reevaluating longstanding defense commitments through NATO. The administration’s frustration has reportedly intensified amid disagreements with allies over support for the conflict with Iran.
Earlier this week, Hegseth ordered the cancellation of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s deployment to Poland, halting the planned movement of roughly 4,000 U.S. troops. The Pentagon also announced plans this month to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany under pressure from President Donald Trump, who has publicly feuded with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Germany’s opposition to the war.
Those moves followed earlier notifications to allies that the United States would also remove some forces from NATO’s eastern flank, including troops stationed in Romania.
The administration’s strategy has not only alarmed Democrats but has also triggered growing concern among Republicans traditionally aligned with a strong military presence abroad. Leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees warned that “prematurely reducing” America’s presence in Europe could weaken deterrence and send the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Tillis now appears to be among a growing number of GOP senators questioning whether Hegseth is equipped to lead the Defense Department effectively, despite previously supporting his confirmation.
Much of that frustration has reportedly centered on the removal of more than a dozen senior military officers since the start of Trump’s second term, including Navy Secretary John Phelan most recently.
“Keep your word, Mr. Secretary,” Tillis wrote. “Choose meritocracy over your mediocre yes-men.”
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