But Hegseth says they’re not true:

“I gotta ask you about this rumored list of people that you allegedly put together that we’re [sic] all going to be cleaned out. Is there a list? Is there anybody left on the list if it exists?” “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream asked Hegseth in an exclusive interview on Sunday morning. 

“There’s no list, Shannon,” Hegseth responded. “I’ve heard that, seen that very rumor, although we have a very keen eye toward military leadership and their willingness to follow lawful orders.”

Republican lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees said Thursday that they had heard about such a list of senior military officials facing the chopping block, but had not been presented anything.

That being said, there have been a number of firings—including the replacement of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Air Force Gen. “CQ” Brown Jr. with Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine—and Hegseth warned that anyone who defies President Trump’s orders will soon be looking for a job. (Hegseth called Brown an “honorable man, [just] not the right man for the moment.”)

President Trump has given another set of lawful orders, and they will be followed. If they’re not followed – and all these orders are in keeping with the Constitution and norms inside the military — if they’re not followed, then those officers will find the door

…that’s not a tough calculation. We feel really good about the direction the Pentagon is headed under President Trump. We’re going to focus on war fighting and lethality and accountability and be the most transparent Pentagon that folks have seen in a long time, which is why I explain these things on a regular basis.

Watch:

DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH IS NOT PLAYING AROUND

“President Trump has given another set of lawful orders, and they will be followed. If they’re not followed—then those officers will find the door.” pic.twitter.com/4RWnLaq1iH

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 23, 2025

— Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) February 23, 2025