Former Air Force secretary says he ‘couldn’t serve’ in Trump administration

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall delivered pointed criticism of the Trump administration's Pentagon leadership during a television appearance, declaring he would be unable to serve under the current Defense Secretary. In his comments to a national audience, Kendall singled out Pete Hegseth's stewardship of the Defense Department for particular concern, framing the situation as contrary to his professional principles. The ex-Air Force leader's statement represents one of the most direct rebukes from a former senior defense official regarding the administration's military leadership approach. Kendall's assertion about politicization of the armed forces strikes at a fundamental principle of American civil-military relations, where the military traditionally maintains institutional separation from electoral politics. His remarks suggest underlying disagreements about the direction and character of Pentagon leadership, though additional details about specific policy disputes remain limited. The comments indicate potential estrangement between career defense professionals and current military leadership, a dynamic that could influence broader conversations about military governance and institutional culture.