The Brass Exodus

Military leadership purges compared: Xi Jinping's PLA (2023–2026) vs Trump/Hegseth's Pentagon (2025)

China
20+
Senior PLA officers purged
United States
24+
Generals & admirals removed

China — Key Bodies

Central Military Commission
7 members (Xi + 6 military)
4 of 6
Defense Ministers
Last 2 consecutive
2 of 2
Rocket Force Leadership
Commanders + Commissars
4 of 4

United States — Key Bodies

Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chair + Vice + 6 service chiefs
3 of 8
Service JAGs
Army, Navy, Air Force
3 of 3
Intelligence Leadership
NSA, DIA directors + deputies
3+ of 4

Who Was Purged

China

Central Military Commission
He WeidongOct 2025
Vice Chairman, CMC (2nd ranked)
"Serious job-related crimes involving exceptionally large sums." Formed a patronage network that sold promotions. First sitting CMC vice chairman purged since the Cultural Revolution.
Miao HuaOct 2025
Director, Political Work Department
"Serious violations of discipline and law." Ran the personnel/promotion system. Part of the "Fujian clique" with He Weidong—both served in the 31st Group Army.
Zhang YouxiaJan 2026
Vice Chairman, CMC (1st ranked)
"Serious violations of discipline and law." Under investigation. Xi's longtime confidant and a "princeling." Most significant ouster yet if confirmed.
He HongjunOct 2025
Deputy Director, Political Work Dept
"Serious job-related crimes." Miao Hua's deputy overseeing officer evaluations and promotions.
Defense Ministers
Li ShangfuJun 2024
Defense Minister (served 7 months)
"Took huge sums of money to seek benefits for others." Former head of Equipment Development Dept. U.S. intel found missiles filled with water instead of fuel, silos with defective doors—result of procurement fraud under his watch.
Wei FengheJun 2024
Former Defense Minister (2018-2023)
"Violating political discipline" and bribery. Li Shangfu's predecessor. Expelled alongside Li in June 2024.
Rocket Force (Nuclear Missiles)
Li YuchaoJul 2023
Commander, Rocket Force
Procurement corruption. First domino to fall. Disappeared along with his political commissar, triggering the entire purge.
Wang HoubinOct 2025
Commander, Rocket Force (replacement)
"Serious financial crimes involving exceptionally large sums." Navy officer brought in to clean up the Rocket Force—then purged himself within a year.
Xu XishengOct 2025
Political Commissar, Rocket Force
"Serious violations of discipline." Air Force officer brought in alongside Wang Houbin. Also purged.
Theater Commands & Services
Lin XiangyangOct 2025
Commander, Eastern Theater Command
"Serious violations of discipline." Led the Taiwan-facing command. Part of the 31st Group Army network.
Yuan HuazhiOct 2025
Political Commissar, Navy
"Serious violations of discipline and law." Admiral.
Wang ChunningOct 2025
Commander, People's Armed Police
"Serious violations of discipline." Led the paramilitary force responsible for internal security.
Qin ShutongOct 2025
Political Commissar, Army
"Serious violations of discipline." Part of the 31st Group Army network.
Wang XiubinOct 2025
Deputy Director, Joint Operations Command
"Serious violations of discipline." Key operational planning role.
Defense Industry
Wu YanshengJan 2024
Chair, China Aerospace Science & Tech Corp
Corruption. CASC builds China's ballistic missiles and space rockets.
Wang ChangqingDec 2023
Exec, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp
Corruption. CASIC builds cruise missiles and missile defense systems.

United States

Joint Chiefs of Staff
Gen. CQ Brown Jr.Feb 2025
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Hegseth: "Any general involved in any of that DEI woke shit has got to go." In his book, Hegseth questioned whether Brown got the job "because of his skin color." Brown made a video statement after George Floyd's death in 2020.
Adm. Lisa FranchettiFeb 2025
Chief of Naval Operations
No official reason given. Hegseth's book called her "unqualified" without specifics, suggested she was "elevated for political optics." First woman on the Joint Chiefs. Fired same night as Brown.
Gen. David AllvinNov 2025
Chief of Staff, Air Force
Pushed out halfway through his four-year term. "Asked to step down."
Gen. James SlifeFeb 2025
Vice Chief of Staff, Air Force
No reason given. Fired same night as Brown and Franchetti. Senator Kaine: "Fired without cause out of pure pettiness."
Intelligence
Gen. Timothy HaughApr 2025
Director, NSA & Cyber Command
Laura Loomer told Trump he was "disloyal" and "handpicked by Mark Milley." Fired while overseas. Haugh: "I know in my heart that every day I wanted to make every American safe." 34-year career.
Wendy NobleApr 2025
Deputy Director, NSA
Loomer: "Disloyal to President Trump." Career official who joined NSA in 1987. Fired same day as Haugh after Loomer's Oval Office meeting.
Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse2025
Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
No public explanation given.
Coast Guard
Adm. Linda FaganJan 2025
Commandant, Coast Guard
DHS: "Leadership deficiencies" and "excessive focus on DEI policies." Also blamed for Operation Fouled Anchor sexual assault cover-up (which her predecessor actually buried). First woman to lead any U.S. military service. Learned of firing at Inauguration Ball.
Combatant Commands
Adm. Alvin HolseyOct 2025
Commander, SOUTHCOM
"Retiring" after less than a year. Normal posting is three years. No explanation from Hegseth.
Gen. Bryan Fenton2025
Commander, Special Operations Command
Early retirement. Unclear if voluntary.
Navy
Rear Adm. Milton Sands2025
Commander, Naval Special Warfare (SEALs)
No public explanation given.
Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore2025
Chief, Navy Reserve
No public explanation given.
Adm. Jon HarrisonOct 2025
Chief of Staff, Navy
Fired. No public explanation given.
Military Justice
3 Service JAGsFeb 2025
Judge Advocates General: Army, Navy, Air Force
Hegseth: They "weren't well suited for the jobs." All three fired the same night as Brown and Franchetti. Oversee military justice system.
Other Senior Officials
Lt. Gen. Jennifer ShortFeb 2025
Senior Military Assistant to SecDef
Fired. Appointed by Lloyd Austin. No public explanation.
Doug BeckAug 2025
Director, Defense Innovation Unit
Resigned. Key tech/innovation role.