Hegseth’s Rollback of Whistleblower Protections Is Reckless and Dangerous to Mission Readiness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
Brian Purchia, brian@protectourdefenders.com

 
If you would like to interview Josh Connolly, senior vice president of Protect Our Defenders, please respond directly or contact brian@protectourdefenders.com.
 

Washington, DC – Protect Our Defenders today condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement that he will overhaul the channels service members use to anonymously file whistleblower complaints and report abuse, toxic leadership, or discrimination. Hegseth said the changes will target the Defense Department’s inspector general and equal employment opportunity offices, ending anonymous reporting and limiting avenues for survivors and whistleblowers to seek accountability.

The announcement comes as the military faces an escalating sexual assault crisis. More than 100 victims accused Army doctor Maj. Michael Stockin of sexual assault – one of the largest scandals in recent history – which led to his conviction and 13-year prison sentence. Protect Our Defenders helped expose the case, providing pro bono legal support through our legal network and pressing Congress and the Pentagon for accountability.

The Stockin case shows yet again why anonymous reporting is essential: it gave survivors a path to come forward when fear of retaliation would have otherwise kept them silent. Rolling back these safeguards now would erase hard-fought lessons and further endanger service members. Protect Our Defenders calls on Congress to hold hearings immediately and demand that Secretary Hegseth answer for this dangerous proposal.

Josh Connolly, Senior Vice President of Protect Our Defenders, released the following statement:

“Rolling back whistleblower and anonymous reporting protections is reckless and dangerous.

“Our military’s strength depends on troops being able to report abuse, corruption, and misconduct without fear of retaliation. One of the largest military sexual assault scandals in recent history – the Stockin case – showed exactly why anonymous reporting is essential to bringing predators to justice. Eliminating these safeguards will silence survivors, embolden toxic leaders, and drive away talented service members at a time when the military is already struggling to recruit and retain.

“To win the wars of 2025 and beyond, we need a force that is smarter, more diverse, and more resilient – not one trapped in the thinking of 1945. Congress should reject this rollback, bring Hegseth in to answer for these dangerous proposals, and stand up for our democracy by protecting those who serve.”

Protect Our Defenders Founder and CEO, Nancy Parrish, released the following statement: 

“Hegseth’s rollback drags our military back to a culture we’ve already rejected. Accountability and respect are what make our force stronger.

“Stripping away whistleblower protections won’t build toughness – it will silence survivors, embolden predators, and erode trust when recruitment and retention are already at crisis levels.

“The next generation of service members expects professionalism, not a return to the days when abuse was ignored. If we care about mission readiness, we must strengthen these protections, not dismantle them to serve outdated ideology.”