Lawmakers from both parties are raising concerns about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's removal of senior military leaders, with some signaling Congress could impose new oversight requirements if the War Department does not better explain the shake-up.
The latest scrutiny follows the departure of Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, one of several senior officers who have left their posts under Hegseth.
"General officers and flag officers serve at the pleasure of the President and the Secretary of War," Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell told Newsweek on Sunday. "They always have and always will."
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Sunday that lawmakers may pursue additional oversight if the War Department fails to provide clearer explanations for the leadership changes.
"I don't think that concern is misplaced. We're worried about the same thing," Kaine said on CBS' "Face the Nation," referring to warnings that the recent firings could discourage senior military leaders from offering candid advice.
Kaine questioned whether the personnel changes reflect an effort to sideline dissenting voices.
"Are you pushing out the truth tellers to surround yourself by yes-men?" he said.
He also suggested Hegseth's decisions have disproportionately affected Army leadership.
"That's a grudge he's carried," Kaine said, referring to Hegseth's past comments about his service in the Army National Guard. "So when you see Army officers forced out, you've got to wonder, is this a personal thing, or is it really what's best for the nation?"
The War Department has maintained that the changes fall within the authority traditionally exercised by civilian leaders, but critics argue the lack of a public explanation has fueled questions inside and outside the military.
Among the Republicans expressing concern are Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a retired Air Force brigadier general and member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Bacon said in an April post on X that the dismissals reflected "a lack of character" and warned that removing respected military leaders without explanation risked politicizing the armed forces and undermining confidence within the ranks.
The debate is beginning to spill into Congress' work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
Kaine said the Senate version of the defense policy bill does not currently address the removals, but suggested lawmakers could seek bipartisan "guardrails" if the War Department does not provide more information.
"When we bring it up on the floor ... if we need to go farther to put some guardrails in place, you'll probably find bipartisan support to do that," Kaine said.
The House already has approved a proposal that would require the War Department to notify Congress within five days whenever a senior military officer is removed. The measure would not limit the secretary's authority but would require greater transparency.
The controversy comes after Hegseth oversaw a series of high-profile leadership changes, including the removal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Army Training and Doctrine Command chief Gen. David Hodne and Army Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. William Green Jr.
Kaine said lawmakers remain frustrated by the War Department's response.
"We don't yet have good answers from the Pentagon," he said.