US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who narrowly survived a contentious Senate confirmation earlier this year, is now confronting a deepening leadership crisis as congressional scrutiny escalates over his conduct and decision-making.
Hegseth’s appointment had already raised bipartisan concerns, with lawmakers questioning the former Fox News host’s temperament, qualifications and ability to lead the Pentagon. Just three months into the job, he became embroiled in “Signalgate,” after he and senior officials used the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss imminent military strikes in Yemen. A Pentagon inspector general’s report submitted to Congress on Wednesday concluded that the use of the platform risked compromising personnel and operations.
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The controversy has intensified following reports that a US special operations team conducted a second strike on survivors of an attack on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel off the Venezuelan coast. Legal experts and several members of Congress say such an action, if confirmed, would constitute a violation of the laws of armed conflict. Lawmakers are now pressing Hegseth to release all related video recordings.
“These are serious charges, and that’s the reason we’re going to have special oversight,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The mounting questions surrounding Hegseth’s leadership have exposed simmering dissatisfaction on Capitol Hill with President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Defense. With congressional committees initiating a formal investigation and Democratic senators intensifying calls for his resignation, Hegseth faces perhaps the most pivotal test of his tenure—and possibly his political future.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
