[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fired General Charles “CQ” Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations; and General James Slife, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff:
“Purging these highly dedicated, decorated military leaders—based on politics, not merit—does immediate immense and lasting damage to the readiness of our armed forces and national defense. These appalling actions show a weak and insecure Secretary of Defense. Our adversaries in Russia and China are celebrating tonight. To Generals Brown and Slife and Admiral Franchetti: we are grateful for your service, applaud your years of patriotic duty, and reject this cowardly politicization of our military. We will continue your fight to ensure that our servicemembers are provided the tools, resources, and leaders they need to support and defend our great nation.”
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