Former Air Force Secretary Kendall Calls Hegseth’s Pentagon Dysfunctional

Former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III denounced the Defense Department under Secretary Pete Hegseth as “dysfunctional” during a Wednesday interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. Kendall, who served as Secretary of the Air Force from 2017 to 2021 and previously held a senior acquisition post under President Barack Obama, said Hegseth’s leadership has “done active damage” to the Pentagon’s ability to manage its workforce and budget. He cited a pattern of misaligned priorities, a lack of clear direction for the military, and an environment in which senior leaders feel “over‑controlled” and “under‑informed.”

Kendall’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of Hegseth’s performance, including questions over the department’s handling of procurement delays, cybersecurity incidents, and morale at the base level. The former secretary urged the department to adopt a more collaborative approach, noting that the current climate “creates a culture of fear and uncertainty.” Hegseth has defended his record, emphasizing recent reforms aimed at streamlining acquisition processes and improving accountability.

The comments add to a chorus of criticism from former military officials who argue that Hegseth’s tenure has weakened the Pentagon’s operational readiness. Whether the Department of Defense will respond with policy changes remains to be seen, but Kendall’s public critique underscores the urgency of addressing the department’s internal challenges.