Hegseth Picks Admiral Caudle for Navy's Top Job Despite 0 Recommended-List Backing
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 26
Hegseth Picks Admiral Caudle for Navy's Top Job Despite 0 Recommended-List Backing
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 26
Summary
Adm. Daryl Caudle won selection as chief of naval operations even though senior Navy officials had not included him on their recommended candidate list.
Two outreach efforts helped explain the choice: Caudle offered before Hegseth's confirmation to help with the Senate hearing, and days after Hegseth took office a Caudle staff officer urged his team to pick him.
Current and former defense officials described both contacts as breaches of military ethics and protocol because senior officers are expected to avoid partisan political activity.
Hegseth's team was told Caudle was a "warfighter" aligned with his push to remove "woke barriers" from the military, underscoring how Pentagon promotions are being shaped by politics.