Pentagon 'power struggle' erupts as Trump defense chief grows more 'paranoid'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in conflict with the Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll, and he's not quitting his post.

Driscoll was chosen last week by President Donald Trump to work on the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. It has prompted Hegseth's "paranoia" to heighten in recent weeks. Hegseth has been purging top officials at the Pentagon for the past week.

“He’s just really uncomfortable with anyone who could potentially be outshining him,” said a current official, who spoke to The Hill about the Pentagon power struggle.

During her Thursday morning show, CNN reporter Audie Cornish explained that Hegseth "has been at odds with high-ranking officers at the Pentagon almost as soon as he took over."

"Serving under President Trump has been the honor of a lifetime. I have no plans to depart or resign as the Secretary of the Army," Driscoll said.

Democratic strategist Joel Rubin questioned whether several military members were jockeying for positions inside the Pentagon.

Cornish interjected, saying, "I'm sorry. The military is a hierarchy. I don't want to see jockeying."

Rubin said that a military cannot be dysfunctional, particularly if the U.S. at war..

Former Donald Trump communications director Mike Dubke said that there's always jockeying for higher positions at the Pentagon and that this wasn't anything new.

"There has always been jockeying in the Catholic Church, for goodness sake. I mean, this is the world that we live in. And when you have civilians controlling your military, which we want to have happen, you're going to have this also. Driscoll, we shall not forget, in Washington the biggest rumor is if Hegseth leaves, who's there next? Who do you think can get through the Senate? Driscoll's name comes up time and time and time again," Dubke said.

Hegseth could see it as an opportunity to get rid of people who are being looked at as his replacement.

Dubke said it surprises him that Hegseth is spending so much time on this. Rubin said that it's not helpful for Hegseth to be worried about his job rather than directing American soldiers.

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