US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed several senior military leaders, including Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, following an intelligence assessment on US strikes against Iranian nuclear sites that contradicted President Donald Trump's claims. The firings, which also included Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore and Rear Adm. Milton Sands, come amid a broader campaign by the administration to remove officials perceived as critics or insufficiently loyal. The moves have sparked concern among Democrats in Congress, who warn that treating intelligence as a loyalty test undermines national security and chills dissent within the intelligence community. The administration has also revoked security clearances and announced cuts to intelligence staff and budgets, further signaling a shift in how intelligence and military leadership are managed.