President Donald Trump is reportedly beginning to lose patience with the series of controversies dogging his Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, and is no longer leaping to his defence in private conversations, according to a new investigation.
Mounting Pressure in the Pentagon
The president's apparent shift in stance comes amidst intense scrutiny of the Pentagon's authorisation of a second strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean on 2 September. This follow-up attack, which some have labelled a 'double tap', was launched after two survivors were seen clinging to the wreckage of the initial strike.
On Thursday, Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer leading U.S. Special Operations Command, presented footage of the lethal strikes to lawmakers. The footage elicited starkly different reactions. Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, described it as "one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service." In contrast, Republican Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes "righteous" and "entirely lawful."
Hegseth has defended the operation, stating it occurred within "the fog of war" and that Admiral Bradley acted within his authority. Beyond this single incident, Hegseth's broader campaign targeting suspected traffickers, resulting in at least 86 deaths, has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and human rights organisations who allege the actions are illegal and intended to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
A 'Rough Week' for the Defence Chief
This scrutiny forms part of what an unnamed senior administration official called a "rough week for Pete." According to a report in The Atlantic on Friday, President Trump is starting to tire of the scandals surrounding his Pentagon chief. The publication cited several unnamed sources, including an outside adviser and a former senior official, who claimed the president "does not push back when others suggest Hegseth is not up for the job."
Further complicating matters, the Defence Department’s inspector general released findings from an investigation into Hegseth's use of the encrypted Signal app to post details about a strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The report concluded that the former Fox News anchor's actions could have endangered U.S. personnel. Despite this, Hegseth stated at an event on Saturday that he doesn't "live with any regrets" over his use of Signal.
Republican Rifts and Public Support
The controversies have exposed cracks in what was once unwavering Republican support for the administration. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina publicly contradicted Hegseth's claim that the inspector general's report exonerated him, while Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky called for Hegseth to testify under oath about the boat strikes.
Nevertheless, President Trump has maintained public support for his Defence Secretary, telling reporters on Tuesday that "Pete is doing a great job." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also defended the September strike. Behind the scenes, however, The Atlantic suggests the dynamic is more fraught. One official noted that while aides have long sensed Hegseth isn't fully qualified, his devotion to Trump has redeemed him. Firing Hegseth would also trigger a difficult Senate confirmation battle the White House wishes to avoid.
For now, the military campaign shows no sign of abating. President Trump indicated on Wednesday that operations could escalate, stating, "Very soon we’re going to start doing it on land too." The question remains how long the president's patience will last as controversies continue to swirl around his Defence Secretary.
