Washington: Pentagon chief Pete Hegeth ordered at least one reduction of 20 percent in the number of actively four-star generals and admirals in the US military, a memo of the defense secretary said.

The move is the latest big shaking Pentagon under President Donald Trump’s administration, who has already rejected a number of senior officers this year.

The note also requires an additional 10 percent reduction in the number of general and flags officers and a 20 percent cut in the number of general officers in the National Guard.

It did not specify how the reductions would be achieved.

There were 38 four-star officers-the highest rank that can usually be obtained in the US military and a total of 817 generals and admirals in the active forces in March 2025.

The cuts are aimed at removing “superfluous power structure to optimize and streamline leadership by reducing excess general and flag of officer positions,” the note said.

“Through these measures, we will maintain our position as the most deadly fighting strength in the world, achieve peace through strength and ensure greater efficiency, innovation and readiness for any challenge that is ahead,” added it.

Since the beginning of his second period in January, Trump has monitored a cleansing of top officers, including chairman of the joint chief of staff of staff Charles “CQ” Brown, whom he dismissed without explanation in February.

Other senior officers removed this year include the leaders of the Navy and the Coast Guard, the General, who led the National Security Agency, Vice -Staff Chief of the Air Force, a marine assessment awarded NATO and three top military lawyers.

Hegeth has insisted that the president simply chooses the leaders he wants, but democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the traditionally neutral US military.