Ex-USAF chief Kendall accuses Hegseth of fostering 'culture of fear' in military

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III publicly accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of creating a 'culture of fear' that is driving leadership departures and silencing dissent within the US military. This marks a notable public rebuke from a senior former official, signaling potential internal friction over civilian-military relations. The claim is an opinion-based accusation, not a confirmed finding, and its impact is primarily political and institutional.