Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall launched a blistering criticism of the Trump administration’s military leadership Sunday, declaring that he “couldn’t serve” in the administration and accusing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of politicizing the U.S. armed forces.
Kendall, who served as Air Force secretary under former President Joe Biden, made the remarks during an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC News’ This Week.
“I’ve never seen an attempt to politicize our military like the one being conducted by Pete Hegseth,” Kendall said.
His comments represent one of the sharper public attacks on Hegseth from a former civilian leader of a major military branch and come amid continuing scrutiny of personnel and leadership changes at the Pentagon.
Kendall Takes Aim at Hegseth
Kendall argued that Hegseth’s management of the Defense Department is affecting officials throughout the military chain of command.
“It’s causing people to be afraid and … in many cases I think he’s not getting good advice,” Kendall said. “Because people are afraid to tell him things that he doesn’t want to hear.”
Kendall also claimed that experienced people he knows have left their positions because of what he described as a “climate of fear” and concerns about what the military has been asked to do.
Those assertions reflect Kendall’s assessment of conditions inside the Pentagon.
The former Air Force secretary’s criticism comes during a period of significant turnover involving senior Army leadership.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll recently resigned following reported tensions with Hegseth. Hegseth previously removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and has reportedly intervened in several senior Army promotions.
Those personnel decisions have intensified a broader debate in Washington over Hegseth’s management of the Pentagon and the direction of the military under President Donald Trump.
Former Biden Official Warns Military Leaders
Kendall also argued that senior military officers have a responsibility to challenge civilian officials when they believe they are being asked to carry out something illegal, unethical or morally wrong.
He expressed concern that some military leaders may not be doing enough to push back.
The issue touches on a longstanding principle of the American system: The military operates under civilian control, while service members remain bound by the Constitution and applicable law.
Kendall suggested that maintaining those boundaries becomes especially important when senior officials disagree over the legality or ethics of military operations.
Kendall Criticizes U.S. Military Operations
During the interview, Kendall also turned his attention to U.S. military operations targeting vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Kendall described the campaign as “unconstitutional.”
That is Kendall’s characterization of the operations and should not be confused with a definitive court ruling on their legality.
His comments nevertheless highlight a larger dispute over presidential military authority, congressional oversight and the circumstances under which American forces can be used abroad.
Pentagon Leadership Under Scrutiny
The controversy comes as the Trump administration continues reshaping military leadership while confronting major national security challenges overseas.
Supporters of changes at the Pentagon can argue that an elected president and his defense secretary have broad authority to select military leaders they believe will best carry out administration policy.
Critics, including Kendall, contend that political considerations should not interfere with the military’s professional decision-making or discourage senior officers from providing candid advice.
That disagreement is now becoming increasingly public.
For Kendall, however, the situation has apparently crossed a personal line.
Kendall Says He Couldn’t Work for Trump
Raddatz eventually asked Kendall what he would do if he were still serving as Air Force secretary under the current circumstances.
Kendall rejected the hypothetical outright.
“I couldn’t serve in this administration,” he said.
The statement underscored the depth of Kendall’s disagreement with the current Pentagon leadership.
As the Trump administration continues making changes within the armed forces, the debate over Hegseth’s leadership, military independence, civilian authority and the role of senior officers is likely to remain a major issue in Washington.
For Americans watching the Pentagon closely, Kendall’s comments reveal just how deep the disagreement over the direction of the U.S. military has become.