ICYMI: Moulton Raises Alarm about Hegseth’s Military Purge in new Politico Feature Interview

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Seth Moulton is raising serious concerns about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s sweeping removal of senior military leaders – and about Hegseth’s complete lack of transparency in doing so.

In a new interview with POLITICO Magazine, Moulton criticized Hegseth’s decision to cut 20% of four-star officers and 10% of other generals and admirals, calling the move “crude and overtly political.” While Moulton agrees the military is top-heavy, he warns that Hegseth’s approach risks politicizing the armed forces and undermining readiness.

“That’s a recipe not just for a politicized military, but an authoritarian military,” Moulton said. “That’s the way militaries work in Russia and China and North Korea.”   

Moulton, who served under Gen. David Petraeus in Iraq and has been a critic of military careerism, emphasized that reform must be driven by strategic necessity—not political loyalty.

Read the full POLITICO Magazine Q&A here. Moulton also authored a Boston Globe op-ed about the dangers of politicizing the military earlier this year.

Over the weekend, Congressman Moulton was also interviewed on CBS’ Face the Nation at the bipartisan Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall washing organized by With Honor, which took place last week following an all-night reconciliation vote in Washington.