{"id":2427731,"date":"2025-04-25T20:31:56","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T00:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/changes-are-needed-pete-hegseth-just-officially-booted-susan-rice-from-the-pentagon\/"},"modified":"2025-04-25T20:35:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T00:35:55","slug":"changes-are-needed-pete-hegseth-just-officially-booted-susan-rice-from-the-pentagon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/changes-are-needed-pete-hegseth-just-officially-booted-susan-rice-from-the-pentagon\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Changes Are Needed&#8217;: Pete Hegseth Just Officially Booted Susan Rice from the Pentagon"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchanges-are-needed-pete-hegseth-just-officially-booted-susan-rice-from-the-pentagon%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2427731&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, a notable figure in three Democratic administrations, was recently informed that her role, along with other members of the Defense Policy Board, would no longer be required as part of a broader shake-up within the Pentagon.This action, described by some media as a &#8220;purge,&#8221; was officially announced by the Department of Defense, stating a need for fresh perspectives to align with new strategic directives.<\/p>\n<p>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted that the changes were aimed at enhancing efficiency and driving significant shifts in policy. Members affected included key figures from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/2020-was-the-brian-stelter-of-years\/\" title=\"2020 Was the Brian Stelter of Years\">foreign policy establishment<\/a>, such as rice and former Pentagon officials who previously supported military interventions in the Middle East. <\/p>\n<p>This decision follows a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/employees-across-20-countries-aim-to-make-amazon-pay-by-dealing-the-company-a-black-friday-blow\/\" title=\"Employees Across 20 Countries Aim to &#039;Make Amazon Pay&#039; by Dealing the Company a Black Friday Blow\">previous similar action<\/a> during former President Biden&#8217;s tenure. the Intercept linked this latest move to controversial interviews,including one by former fox News host Tucker Carlson that suggested Rice might be involved in leaks,an allegation Rice has not addressed publicly. Critics worry about the persistence of established figures in defense advisory roles, questioning the legitimacy and transparency of advisory boards, and arguing for their complete dissolution. Rice&#8217;s connections to past controversies, including the Benghazi attack, further complicate her legacy among conservatives.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, who was a key figure in the administrations of three Democratic presidents and who has since continued serving on an advisory board at the Pentagon, got her latest marching orders this week.<\/p>\n<p>In a move that at least <a href=\"https:\/\/theintercept.com\/2025\/04\/25\/hegseth-defense-policy-board-pentagon-tucker-carlson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">one liberal media outlet<\/a> called a &ldquo;purge,&rdquo; all members of the Defense Policy Board and other Pentagon advisory boards were informed that their services would no longer be required.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Defense published a terse, two-paragraph <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/News\/Releases\/Release\/Article\/4165731\/statement-by-chief-pentagon-spokesman-sean-parnell-on-the-conclusion-of-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement<\/a> announcing the change Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Secretary Hegseth appreciates the members&rsquo; efforts on behalf of the department and the United States of America, but changes are needed to support the new strategic direction and policy priorities of the department and to ensure departmental resources are used efficiently.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a Wednesday <a href=\"https:\/\/media.defense.gov\/2025\/Apr\/24\/2003696958\/-1\/-1\/0\/CONCLUDING-SERVICE-OF-DOD-ADVISORY-COMMITTEE-MEMBERS-OSD004333-25-FOD-FINAL.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">memo<\/a> addressed to &ldquo;senior Pentagon leadership,&rdquo; Defense Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/pete-hegseth-fired-learning-obesity-rate-among-reserve-troops-fit-not-fat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pete Hegseth<\/a> provided a bit more detail.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To support the new strategic direction and policy priorities of the Department, we require fresh thinking to drive bold changes,&rdquo; he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>The Defense Policy Board &ldquo;included several members of the foreign policy establishment, such as former Barack Obama aide Susan Rice, and former George W. Bush Pentagon under secretary Eric Edelman, who have previously argued for wars in the Middle East,&rdquo; The Intercept said in its <a href=\"https:\/\/theintercept.com\/2025\/04\/25\/hegseth-defense-policy-board-pentagon-tucker-carlson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Even though former President Joe Biden&rsquo;s Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, had ordered a similar action during his tenure, The Intercept &mdash; a left-leaning news outlet &mdash; linked the latest DOD action to an interview that former Fox News broadcaster Tucker Carlson did with former Hegseth aide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/top-hegseth-advisor-escorted-pentagon-unauthorized-disclosure-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dan Caldwell<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Caldwell was placed on administrative leave last week over information leaks.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Dan Caldwell was one of the strongest voices at the Pentagon opposing war with Iran. Then he was falsely accused of leaking classified documents and fired.<\/p>\n<p>(0:00) Introduction<br \/> (1:10) What Would Happen if the US Went to War With Iran?<br \/> (9:13) The Real Reason the US Invaded Iraq&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JUktfTIySd\">pic.twitter.com\/JUktfTIySd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TuckerCarlson\/status\/1914445982969790797?\">April 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In the interview with Carlson, Caldwell maintained that he had been falsely accused of being the source of leaks and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/jaw-dropper-susan-rice-still-pentagon-even-trump-president-hegseth-secdef\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pointed to Rice<\/a> as a possible suspect.<\/p>\n<p>The interview &ldquo;racked up millions of views on X and was amplified by right-wing influencers such as retired Lt. Gen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/read-entire-explosive-50-million-gen-flynn-lawsuit-us-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mike Flynn<\/a>,&rdquo; according to The Intercept&rsquo;s report.<\/p>\n<p>Flynn did indeed  posts about the revelation regarding Rice&rsquo;s ongoing Pentagon involvement.<\/p>\n<p>One such post was <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/HansMahncke\/status\/1914697939697487911\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">by legal expert<\/a> and educator Hans Mahncke, who wrote, &ldquo;The fact that Susan Rice, Colin Kahl, Michele Flournoy and other entrenched DC insiders and operatives still sit on the Defense Policy Board&mdash;which supposedly exists to advise the Secretary of Defense&mdash;is a perfect example of the deeper corruption in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Obviously, Pete Hegseth isn&rsquo;t going to take defense policy advice from Susan Rice, so some might shrug it off. And sure, it might not influence Hegseth directly but it absolutely matters when it comes to how the DC establishment keeps the whole racket going.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These boards exist mainly to hand out titles and a veneer of credibility that people like Rice can leverage for jobs, board seats, speaking gigs, and appointments, for instance with military contractors,&rdquo; Mahncke asserted.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;More importantly, they keep these figures in the loop&mdash;lingering on the edges of power until the next president gives them another turn on the merry-go-round. (It&rsquo;s the same with security clearances, which for some <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">inexplicable reason aren&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t revoked the moment someone leaves office.)&rdquo;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Why does Susan Rice still have a security clearance? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DTQNUo02Kf\">https:\/\/t.co\/DTQNUo02Kf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GenFlynn\/status\/1914819580519719384?\">April 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Mahncke concluded in his X post, &ldquo;If you&rsquo;re serious about changing Washington, you have to break up their ecosystem. Don&rsquo;t just kick them off the boards. Get rid of all these boards entirely. There&rsquo;s no legitimate purpose for a corrupt credential mill handing out fake titles just to keep these people in the game.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Flynn <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GenFlynn\/status\/1914819580519719384\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">commented<\/a> when he reposted Mahncke&rsquo;s remarks, &ldquo;Why does Susan Rice still have a security clearance?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Rice served in various capacities with the Clinton, Obama, and Biden administrations, but conservatives may remember her most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/jaw-dropper-susan-rice-still-pentagon-even-trump-president-hegseth-secdef\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">for her role<\/a> in the disastrous attack on an American diplomatic outpost in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/benghazi-survivor-reveals-saw-break-siege-10-years-ago-call-seventh-man-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benghazi<\/a>, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, in which a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were brutally killed by a mob.<\/p>\n<p>Rice was one of those who attempted to perpetuate the false notion that the mob formed spontaneously and unexpectedly to protest the release of a movie that insulted the Prophet Muhammad.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Here&rsquo;s a recounting of the incident prior to me quitting CBS News where I caught certain Evening New managers in a shocking and unethical scheme to mislead the public in support of President Obama just before the 2012 election.<br \/> By way of brief background:<br \/> The 9\/11\/2012 Benghazi&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/99XDlfTdbL\">pic.twitter.com\/99XDlfTdbL<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sharyl Attkisson &#128373;&#65039;&zwj;&#9794;&#65039;&#128188;&#129355; (@SharylAttkisson) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SharylAttkisson\/status\/1844138677045239894?\">October 9, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This was apparently to deflect criticism weeks before the [2012] election that the Obama administration had failed to respond to the terrorist threats and had denied appropriate security to our diplomats,&rdquo; former CBS correspondent Sharyl Attkisson said.<\/p>\n<p>The journalist wrote about the incident and subsequent cover-up in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/king-charles-finally-cuts-off-spoiled-prince-andrew-leaving-his-home-moldy-and-cracking-apart\/\" title=\"King Charles Finally Cuts off Spoiled Prince Andrew, Leaving His Home Moldy and Cracking Apart\">book called &#038;ldquo<\/a>;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Stonewalled-Obstruction-Intimidation-Harassment-Washington\/dp\/0062322850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stonewalled<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, a significant player in the administrations of three Democratic presidents and currently serving on a Pentagon advisory board, received new directives this week. A liberal media outlet referred to the recent changes as a &#8220;purge,&#8221; as all members of the Defense Policy Board and other Pentagon advisory boards were notified that their services were no longer needed. The Department of Defense issued a brief statement on Thursday announcing this shift, stating that Secretary Hegseth values the contributions of these members but emphasized that changes are necessary to align with new strategic goals and policy priorities while ensuring efficient use of resources. In a memo to senior Pentagon leadership, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth elaborated on the need for fresh perspectives to drive significant changes within the department. The Intercept reported that among those affected were established figures like Rice and former Bush administration official Eric Edelman, who have previously advocated for military actions in the Middle East. Although similar actions had been taken during former President Biden&#8217;s tenure by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, The Intercept connected this latest move to an interview where Tucker Carlson discussed allegations against Dan Caldwell\u2014who opposed war with Iran\u2014suggesting Rice might be implicated in leaks related to his dismissal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2427732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hegseth-Rice.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50402,54116,3761,44930,53932],"class_list":["post-2427731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-leadership-2","tag-military-changes","tag-pentagon","tag-pete-hegseth","tag-susan-rice"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hegseth-Rice.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2427731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2427731"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2427731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2427735,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2427731\/revisions\/2427735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2427732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2427731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2427731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2427731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}