Pete Hegseth Fires Obama-Era Holdovers in Massive Pentagon Shakeup

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the dismissal of dozens of Department of Defense (DoD) advisory committee members on Thursday, citing the need for “fresh thinking” to support the Department’s new strategic direction and policy priorities.

Never back down. #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/WzpWBheS3b

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) April 25, 2025

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“To support the new strategic direction and policy priorities of the Department, we require fresh thinking to drive bold changes,” Hegseth wrote in a memo announcing the move.

“Therefore, informed by the recently concluded 45-day review, I direct the conclusion of service of all members of each DoD advisory committee, board, or panel subject to the attached memorandum (hereafter collectively referred to as ‘DoD advisory committees’), consistent with applicable law.”

MUST WATCH: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth IS ON FIRE

“I’m here because President Trump asked me to bring war-fighting back to the Pentagon every single day.

If people don’t like it, come after me, no worries. I’m standing here, the WARFIGHTERS are behind us, our enemies… pic.twitter.com/AN5WaSwExc

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 22, 2025

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The dismissal affects members across numerous advisory committees, including the Defense Policy Board.

Among those removed was Susan Rice, a former Obama administration official.

Susie Rice is REALLY upset after she got ousted from the DoD.

Now she’s going on irrelevant podcasts to complain about Pete Hegseth.

Her departure from our Defense Department is one of the best actions taken by Pete Hegseth. pic.twitter.com/YZHu1ZdsNY

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 25, 2025

While much attention has focused on the Defense Policy Board and Rice’s removal, the order impacts a wide range of committees under the Department of Defense.

Federal advisory committees serve as bodies created by Congress, Presidents, and executive branch agencies to provide expertise and policy recommendations from individuals outside of government.

Though they may be called by different names—task forces, panels, commissions, boards, councils, or conferences—their purpose remains to facilitate the exchange of policy ideas and provide recommendations to federal departments.

Many federal advisory committees have operated under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) since 1972.

The Department of Defense oversees 41 advisory committees created under FACA, making it the fifth-largest federal agency by number of committees. The Department of Health and Human Services, by comparison, operates around 260 committees.

Under the FACA system, advisory committees are intended to gather a broad range of views to offer the best possible advice to cabinet secretaries and, through them, to the President.

In addition to offering advice, committees are subject to open meeting laws, ensuring that their recommendations are accessible to Congress.

Committee memberships have historically been used to reward political allies and recognize individuals from both political parties, while also ensuring that public scrutiny tempers their recommendations.

Defense advisory committees have been viewed as a mixed tool.

Some believe the boards can help introduce high-impact solutions to critical defense challenges.

However, critics argue that including political adversaries on these committees often results in recommendations that avoid controversial or transformative proposals.

Furthermore, advisory boards have sometimes served as sources of leaks that could undermine sitting administrations, raising concerns about internal sabotage.

An exception noted historically has been the Defense Advisory Committee on Women In The Service (DACOWITS), which has had significant influence on military policy.

The committee has been known for advancing policy recommendations that have often been adopted by the Department of Defense, due in part to strong political support in Congress.

Hey Pete Hegseth!

Want to cut waste and get away from bad ideas like putting women into SOF units?

Do away with the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). Abolish it.

DACOWITS has been around since 1968. It has always been a bastion of high-powered,… pic.twitter.com/unUwUtCcoC

— Cynical Publius (@CynicalPublius) December 9, 2024

Hegseth’s decision does not eliminate all advisory committees, as many are mandated by statute.

His order clears the way for new appointees to be selected, aligning committee membership more closely with the Department’s updated strategic goals.

The Department of Defense has not yet announced the timeline for appointing new members or detailed how the reconstituted committees will be structured.

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