Pressure mounts on Pete Hegseth amid twin Pentagon scandals
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, faces escalating pressure following two major scandals that critics describe as reckless and dangerous. The controversies center on alleged war crimes in the Caribbean and a recent inspector general report accusing him of mishandling classified military intelligence. Despite bipartisan calls for his resignation, Hegseth retains strong support from former President Donald Trump.
One major issue involves a September strike on drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean that killed survivors clinging to wreckage during a “double-tap” attack. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray, have condemned the operation and demand Hegseth’s removal. Murray stated that overseeing the campaign and sharing war plans via unsecured apps "could not be more obvious that Secretary Hegseth is unfit for the role."
The Caribbean campaign, launched under the Trump administration, targeted vessels believed to be linked with drug trafficking organizations. However, experts have questioned the strategy, pointing out that most fentanyl enters the U.S. via Mexico rather than Caribbean maritime routes. Jake Braun, a former national cyber director, emphasized that military resources might be better spent focusing on overland trafficking routes.
In a separate controversy, an inspector general report revealed Hegseth shared precise details of an airstrike operation in Yemen through the Signal messaging app on an unclassified device. The classified information included timing and aircraft numbers hours before the mission, creating a risk to operational security. Senator Jack Reed called this a violation of Department of Defense policies that could have endangered American pilots.
Despite these findings, Hegseth claimed on social media that there was "no classified information" and declared himself exonerated. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Roger Wicker defended Hegseth’s communication methods, advocating for improved tools to share classified information securely in real time.
Hegseth’s leadership has also been criticized internally within the Pentagon, where aides reportedly leaked against one another amid a chaotic and paranoid atmosphere. Earlier this year, Hegseth removed top advisers following a controversial leak investigation that raised concerns about his judgment and management capabilities.
The Trump administration maintains that the Caribbean strikes target drug cartels considered terrorist organizations, justifying military action without congressional approval; legal experts dispute this claim. At a recent cabinet meeting, Hegseth expressed no intention of stepping down and indicated that strikes on narco-boats would continue once targets arise, despite the recent pause and ongoing scrutiny.
As the scandals unfold, lawmakers from both parties question Hegseth’s competence and impact on national security, yet his tenure continues backed by Trump’s endorsement and a Republican-controlled Senate, limiting prospects for immediate accountability.
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