The US military department is facing a significant crisis as eight top-ranking officers have resigned in the last three months. The primary reason cited for these departures is a growing conflict with the Donald Trump administration. The Trump government is reportedly targeting officers who either don't align with its policies or fail to meet its specific criteria. The latest high-profile resignation comes from Naval Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the Southern Command. Holsey, whose term was set to expire in 2027, decided to step down due to escalating tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, particularly concerning operations in Venezuela. According to Axios, Holsey opposed a direct attack on Venezuela, while the US government is preparing for major operations there.
Clash with Trump Administration
The trend of senior military officials resigning has continued since Donald Trump assumed office, while over the past three months, eight top commander-level officers, including Joint Chiefs General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. , NSA General Tim Haugh, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan, and Defense Innovation Unit chief Doug Beck, have tendered their resignations. All these departures are reportedly due to friction with the government. Recently, President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth publicly stated that those unwilling to fight or prepare for war should leave the military. Axios suggests that while some resignations were due to genuine disagreements, many officers were pressured to make way for Trump loyalists.
Implications for US Military
This wave of resignations is leading to an unprecedented lack of experience within the US military's leadership, while the seasoned commanders who have left are being replaced by newer, less experienced officers. This is a critical concern for a superpower like the United States, especially during challenging times. On top of that, the influx of new personnel is expected to increase government intervention in military. Affairs, potentially impacting future military operations and even the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) campaign.
