US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under growing pressure as multiple scandals including controversial military strikes and the use of an unsecured messaging app fuel criticism and renewed calls for his removal.
Strikes and Secret Chats Spark Outrage
Hegseth has been widely criticized for a series of US strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, particularly a September incident in which survivors of an initial attack were later killed in a follow-up strike.
Another scandal erupted after The Atlantic revealed that its editor had been mistakenly added to a Signal group chat, where Hegseth and senior officials discussed sensitive details of an impending strike in Yemen.
A Pentagon investigation later warned the leak could have caused “potential harm to US pilots.”
A Rocky Path to Power
Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major and Fox News host, was narrowly confirmed earlier this year despite allegations of financial misconduct at veterans’ nonprofits, heavy drinking, and a past sexual assault accusation.
Lawmakers Divided
Recent classified briefings on the boat strike have deepened political divides:
Rep. Jim Himes (Democrat) condemned the follow-up strike, saying the footage showed US forces attacking “shipwrecked sailors.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (Republican) defended all four strikes as “entirely lawful and needful.”
Trump Still Backing Him — For Now
Despite backlash, Hegseth still enjoys President Trump’s support, though experts warn another scandal could change that.
“He’s on thin ice,” said former Pentagon official Jim Townsend. “If anything further embarrasses the administration or the Republican Party, they may move him aside.”
Defense analysts also note that the controversies are “very embarrassing” and could push the White House to reconsider his role if the firestorm continues.
