1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The planned dismissal of senior military leaders by Secretary Hegseth raises serious concerns about undermining the experience and expertise within the U.S. armed forces. Arbitrarily reducing the ranks of four-star generals and admirals by 20%, along with cutting 10% of all general officers, appears to be a misguided effort that could damage military readiness and capabilities. This proposal lacks a clear strategic rationale or analysis justifying such drastic personnel cuts. Dismissing over 150 of the most seasoned commanders seems counterproductive to maintaining an effective chain of command and promoting innovation within the military. It risks losing invaluable institutional knowledge accumulated over decades of service. Moreover, these plans come amid President Trump's pattern of politically-motivated firings of top military officials, including the former Joint Chiefs Chairman and Service Chiefs. This perceived retaliation against those unwilling to demonstrate personal loyalty raises troubling implications about the politicization of the U.S. armed forces. The United States military has long stood apart as an exemplar of nonpartisan professionalism and adherence to civilian control. Purging senior ranks based on perceived ideological differences with the Commander-in-Chief could grievously undermine trust in military leadership and erode the bedrock principle of an apolitical military that serves the nation, not any particular administration. I urge you to scrutinize Secretary Hegseth's proposals carefully and consider their full ramifications for U.S. national security interests. Maintaining a robust, experienced, and nonpartisan military leadership is vital to safeguarding America's defense capabilities and democratic institutions. Please prioritize these core principles over any perceived political advantages in this consequential matter.