Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who served under the Obama administration, issued a sharp critique of current Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday. During a media appearance, Panetta argued that Hegseth’s leadership approach is actively harming the institution, specifically stating that the secretary is "undermining the strength" of the U.S. military.

Panetta’s primary grievance centers on the recent personnel and structural changes implemented by Hegseth within the Pentagon. According to Panetta, these shifts have introduced unnecessary "turmoil" into the military’s established command structure. He suggested that such instability could have long-term negative effects on the readiness and cohesion of the armed forces, with a particular emphasis on the impact to the U.S. Army.

While Panetta’s comments focus on the potential for institutional damage, the report from The Hill does not include a direct response from Hegseth or the Department of Defense regarding these specific allegations. The critique highlights a growing tension between traditional defense establishment figures and the current leadership’s approach to managing the Pentagon’s hierarchy. As of now, there is no public rebuttal from the Pentagon addressing Panetta's claims of command-level instability.