A former Air Force chief accuses Pete Hegseth of driving a “culture of fear” as he leads efforts to “Trumpify” the U.S. military. The accusation comes as Hegseth’s leadership faces criticism over how the armed forces are managed and how personnel are treated.
The Independent reports that a former senior official, described as the ex-boss of the accuser, argues the approach is causing “generational” damage to America’s armed forces. Yahoo UK News also frames the criticism around claims that the military is being reshaped under political influence, with an emphasis on fear and intimidation rather than traditional command and readiness.
While both outlets focus on concerns about culture and impacts on the force, their coverage centers on different aspects of the allegation—The Independent highlights the claim of long-term harm, while Yahoo UK News emphasizes the “culture of fear” and the broader “Trumpification” theme. Neither report, in the provided excerpts, details specific incidents or substantiates the accusations with documented examples.
