At least 25 top Pentagon officials have departed under Pete Hegseth

The defense secretary has also reportedly blocked the promotions of at least 45 officers, more than half of whom are Black or female.

A YEAR AND a half ago, few would have wagered that Pete Hegseth would consolidate power at the Pentagon. Narrowly confirmed by the Senate amid allegations of financial mismanagement in prior jobs and heavy drinking, which Mr Hegseth denied, the former Fox News weekend host and voluble culture warrior appeared badly und

His latest purge claims the army’s great reformer