Washington, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing mounting criticism from Republican lawmakers and former Pentagon officials over his handling of the Department of Defense, with concerns centered on high staff turnover, alleged security breaches, and questionable leadership decisions.
The former Fox News host, appointed to lead the Pentagon’s 3.4 million employees, has been at the center of multiple controversies that have raised doubts about his ability to manage one of the nation’s most critical institutions.
Since taking office in January 2025, Hegseth’s tenure has been marked by significant upheaval within his inner circle.
Reports indicate that several senior aides, including former chief of staff Joe Kasper and three top advisers—Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll—have either been fired or resigned amid allegations of mismanagement.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Hegseth’s refusal to replace his acting chief of staff, Ricky Buria, has caused friction with White House officials, who view Buria as a liability due to his lack of experience and reported clashes with other Pentagon staff.
Former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot described the situation as a “full-blown meltdown,” highlighting the rapid departure of key personnel and the resulting operational challenges.
“The dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president,” Ullyot stated in a CNN report, emphasizing the need for stable leadership at a time when global security demands are high.
Signalgate Scandal Raises Security Concerns
Hegseth’s leadership has also been scrutinized following the “Signalgate” scandal, where he inadvertently shared sensitive military plans in two separate Signal group chats.
According to The New York Times, one chat included his wife and brother, while another mistakenly involved The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.
These incidents, which involved discussions about planned U.S. military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, have prompted investigations into whether classified information was compromised.
Senator Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) called for an investigation by the National Archives and Records Administration into the Trump administration’s use of Signal, citing potential violations of federal record-keeping laws.
The ongoing Pentagon inspector general probe into the matter is expected to release findings soon, adding further pressure on Hegseth.
Bipartisan frustration with Hegseth’s leadership was evident during a June 2025 congressional hearing, where lawmakers grilled him over Pentagon spending and the controversial deployment of 700 active-duty Marines and 4,100 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to manage immigration raid protests.
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) described Hegseth’s tenure as “marked by endless chaos,” while Republican leaders expressed concerns about the lack of a detailed defense budget.
The deployment, costing an estimated $134 million, drew sharp criticism for its high cost and unclear objectives.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who cast a pivotal vote to confirm Hegseth, has publicly questioned his competence.
In a July interview, Tillis called Hegseth “out of his depth” and pointed to the high staff turnover as a “red flag” for his ability to lead effectively.
Despite his earlier support, Tillis’ remarks reflect growing unease among GOP leaders who initially backed Hegseth’s nomination.
Trump’s Support Amid Rising Tensions
Despite the controversies, President Donald Trump has remained a staunch defender of Hegseth.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Wall Street Journal, “President Trump has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth, who is doing an incredible job leading the DOD.”
Trump himself dismissed the criticisms as “fake news” driven by “disgruntled employees,” emphasizing Hegseth’s role in rooting out perceived inefficiencies within the Pentagon.
However, some GOP lawmakers are privately expressing frustration. A Republican staffer, speaking anonymously to Politico, noted that Hegseth’s repeated security lapses would have led to severe consequences for any other government employee.
“If any staffer, lawmaker, or agency employee did this, they would be in major legal trouble,” the staffer said.
While public support for Hegseth remains, some allies warn that his “messy management style” could erode his standing if further missteps occur.
Speculation About Hegseth’s FutureAmid the turmoil, reports have surfaced that Hegseth is considering a run for Tennessee governor in 2026, despite only residing in the state for three years—short of the seven-year residency requirement.
Sources told NBC News that Hegseth has discussed the possibility with advisors, though Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed the claims as “fake news.”
A potential candidacy would require Hegseth to resign from his current role, as Pentagon rules prohibit civilian employees from seeking public office.
As Hegseth navigates these challenges, the Pentagon faces critical decisions on national security, including the implementation of President Trump’s proposed $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense system and ongoing operations at the U.S. border.
With a shrinking staff and mounting investigations, Hegseth’s ability to restore stability and confidence in his leadership will be closely watched by both allies and critics.
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