Trump eyes firing Pete Hegseth and CIA chief John Ratcliffe over Iran deal clash
Donald Trump is allegedly considering firing those staffers who opposed his signing a deal with Iran that would negate their ability to make nuclear weapons.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has not been officially fired as of June 2026, though he is currently facing significant political pressure and reports indicate that President Trump is actively considering removing him. [1]
The potential firing stems from a major clash between Hegseth and President Trump over the handling of a proposed peace and reconstruction deal with Iran. Sources indicate Trump is frustrated with staffers, including Hegseth, who are pushing back against the newly proposed terms. [1]
Despite his current precarious standing, Hegseth's tenure has been historically tumultuous: [1, 2]
- Mass Firings: Since taking office, Hegseth has ousted over two dozen senior military commanders—including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. CQ Brown. [1, 2]
- Internal Friction: His aggressive efforts to remake military leadership and purge policies he deemed "woke" have resulted in a highly paranoid culture within the Pentagon, with multiple top-level aides resigning or being pushed out. [1, 2]
- Congressional Pushback: Hegseth has drawn ire from both sides of the aisle for his unprecedented blocking of specific promotions, with some lawmakers attempting to strip his authority over military promotion lists. [1]
