Kruse's ousting was noted first by the Washington Post, and is said to be linked to a DIA report which indicated that U.S. strikes had minimally affected Iran's nuclear ambitions. This finding contradicted Trump's assertions that Iran's nuclear sites were "completely destroyed." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked at a NATO summit that the report lacked reliable intelligence, leading to further investigations into the report's leak.

Senator Mark Warner criticized the dismissal, suggesting it exemplifies a concerning trend where intelligence analysis is viewed through a lens of loyalty rather than national security. This has not been an isolated incident, as Trump has previously dismissed several officials whose views diverged from his own, including the Commissioner of Labor Statistics due to a slow job growth report and NSA director General Timothy Haugh.

Moreover, Hegseth has been active in reassigning military personnel within the Pentagon, demonstrating a significant reshaping of the U.S. national security leadership structure.