Pete Hegseth is currently facing a significant crisis during his tenure as Defense Secretary, amid serious allegations of war crimes in the Caribbean and a scathing inspector general report accusing him of mishandling classified military intelligence. Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers across both parties calling for his resignation, Hegseth remains defiant and retains the support of former President Donald Trump. These intertwined crises have thrust the former Fox News personality into a spotlight that many lawmakers, policy experts, and former officials argue reveals a pattern of recklessness within the Pentagon.
Recent revelations have intensified calls for Hegseth’s ousting, particularly following reports that survivors from a September boat strike were intentionally targeted in a follow-up "double-tap" attack. A defense department investigation released on Thursday concluded that Hegseth violated Pentagon policies by sharing sensitive details via the Signal messaging app just hours prior to airstrikes in Yemen. This latest controversy aligns with the ongoing Caribbean campaign initiated by the Trump administration, which involves extrajudicial strikes against suspected drug smugglers, resulting in at least 87 deaths across 22 operations since September.
Trump has defended these operations, claiming they are crucial in the fight against fentanyl trafficking, asserting that every vessel destroyed saves approximately 25,000 American lives. However, this assertion has been challenged by fact-checkers, former officials, and drug policy experts, who point out that the majority of fentanyl enters the U.S. overland from Mexico, rather than through Caribbean routes from Venezuela. Legal scrutiny over the strikes heightened when it was revealed that two men who survived the initial attack on September 2 were present when a lethal follow-up strike was ordered.
Senator Patty Murray, the Democratic vice-chair of the Senate appropriations committee, has called for Hegseth's dismissal, stating, “It could not be more obvious that Secretary Hegseth is unfit for the role, and it is past time for him to go.” The New Democrat Coalition, a significant caucus in the House, echoed similar sentiments, labeling Hegseth as “incompetent, reckless, and a threat to the lives of the men and women who serve in the armed forces.” Coalition chair Brad Schneider and national security working group chair Gil Cisneros criticized Hegseth for evading accountability, stating that he has repeatedly lied and scapegoated his subordinates.
Critics, including Jake Braun, a former national cyber director, have questioned the strategic rationale behind the Caribbean campaign, suggesting that military resources would be better allocated to primary trafficking routes in Mexico rather than focusing on operations 2,500 miles away. Emily Tripp, executive director of Airwars, a civilian harms watchdog, has called for greater transparency regarding the strikes, emphasizing the need to consider the humanitarian implications of military actions.
The inspector general's report released on Thursday highlighted that Hegseth violated Pentagon policies by using Signal to share classified information about upcoming airstrikes in Yemen. This included sensitive details such as strike timings and aircraft types, which could jeopardize mission success and endanger U.S. pilots if intercepted by adversaries. Despite the serious nature of these findings, Hegseth publicly claimed he was exonerated, asserting that there was no classified information involved and declaring the case closed.
While most calls for Hegseth’s resignation have come from Democrats, some Republicans have also expressed concerns about his leadership. Senator Rand Paul suggested that Hegseth either lied about the September boat attack or was incompetent. Meanwhile, Congressman Don Bacon stated he had “seen enough” to conclude that Hegseth is not the right leader for the Pentagon. Despite these challenges, Trump continues to publicly support Hegseth, and with the Senate under Republican control, significant consequences for the Defense Secretary seem unlikely.
As the Trump administration continues its controversial Caribbean campaign targeting drug cartels, the lack of evidence for the administration's claims has raised further questions about the legality and accountability of military actions. With Hegseth at the helm, the Pentagon faces scrutiny not only for its military strategies but also for the internal dysfunction and leadership issues that have surfaced during his tenure.