All articles tagged with #hegseth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told West Point graduates they are ready for war, signaling U.S. military preparedness as tensions with Iran escalate, while also denouncing diversity-within-the-military initiatives; the remarks come as the Trump administration reportedly weighs options on Iran, with allied and Gulf leaders briefing and discussing potential military actions.
Sen. Thom Tillis blasted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over what he called impulsive decisions to reshape senior Army leadership in Europe and Africa, including a reported move to downgrade Army Europe-Africa and replace Gen. Christopher Donahue, per NOTUS reporting that the Pentagon has not confirmed. Tillis accused Hegseth of disrespecting allies and top military professionals, amid broader European force realignments, while noting his past critiques of Hegseth and related defense issues.
Sen. Mark Kelly faces a renewed Pentagon review after Pete Hegseth urged officials to investigate him again for remarks about U.S. weapon stockpiles on CBS’ Face the Nation. Hegseth called Kelly’s comments about a classified briefing “blabbing on TV,” while Kelly warned that munitions shortages could make the U.S. less safe. The Pentagon declined to comment beyond pointing to Hegseth’s post. The move follows earlier efforts to sanction Kelly over a 2023 video and a federal appeals court hinting it might reject those efforts. CNN has reported significant stockpile reductions in missiles and air-defense systems amid the Iran war.
A three-judge DC Circuit Court of Appeals panel appeared ready to reject Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s bid to punish Sen. Mark Kelly for urging service members to refuse unlawful orders, with judges highlighting the principle that veterans should be free to speak out and casting doubt on the administration’s retaliatory-punishment theory as prosecutors previously pursued but were rebuffed in indictments over the video.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S.-Iran ceasefire is not over and that the effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remains ongoing, while Trump-backed challengers press in Indiana as HuffPost live updates weave in other related political and foreign policy headlines.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is tightening his grip at the Pentagon and appearing more defiant and secure in his job, according to people familiar with the matter, even as early missteps linger; the article also notes friction with Navy leadership, including Navy Secretary John Phelan, who reportedly aired grievances about Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg's centralized control over submarine and shipbuilding decisions before his abrupt dismissal.
At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Pete Hegseth defended expanded U.S. military action while critics accuse the Trump administration of unprecedented civilian harm across multiple theaters (Yemen, Iran, Caribbean, Pacific). The Intercept cites thousands of civilian deaths under Trump’s second term, including a contested Minab school strike, and calls for independent investigations and stronger civilian-harm safeguards as critics contend the administration undermines international humanitarian law.
House Democrats filed six articles of impeachment accusing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of high crimes and misdemeanors tied to unauthorized Iran actions, deadly strikes on boats, mishandling classified information, and other conduct they deem a threat to national security—remarks that are unlikely to advance given the GOP-led Congress.
House Democrats introduced a six-article impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging unauthorized war against Iran, civilian casualties, violations of the law of armed conflict, mishandling of sensitive information, obstruction of congressional oversight, and actions that could undermine NATO and U.S. security; the measure is unlikely to advance in the GOP-led House but could be revisited if Democrats win control after the midterms.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will again skip the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, with policy chief Elbridge Colby attending virtually, signaling Washington’s push for Europe to shoulder more defense burden as the U.S. prioritizes homeland security and actions in the Iran conflict; roughly 50 defense ministers will participate as NATO leaders coordinate Kyiv support, while the Pentagon’s PURL program continues weapon shipments to Ukraine, albeit amid warnings that U.S. arms could be prioritized elsewhere; EU hopes for a stalled 90 billion euro Kyiv loan may gain momentum after Hungary’s Orban loss.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., voided key parts of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s revised policy restricting press access to the Pentagon, ruling the curtailment of First Amendment rights unlawful and ordering the Pentagon to fully restore Times reporters’ access and file a sworn compliance declaration by April 16; the Defense Department plans to appeal.
Survivors of the Port Shuaiba attack dispute Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s claim that the target was fortified and that a “squirter” slipped through, saying the unit was unprepared and exposed; they describe chaotic triage and evacuation as CBS News reports challenge the official version while the investigation continues.
CNN portrays Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the administration’s primary public messenger for the Iran campaign, bridging behind-the-scenes strategy with highly visible briefings to sell military progress. Sources say he amplified a combative, pro-military narrative while downplaying risks, even as the conflict reaches a pivotal early stage with Hormuz disruptions and ongoing questions about ground troops and strategic objectives.
According to FT, a Morgan Stanley broker for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explored a multimillion-dollar investment in BlackRock's Defense Industrials Active ETF before the Iran strike, but the deal did not proceed because the fund wasn’t yet available on the platform; while no wrongdoing is alleged, the timing could invite scrutiny given the defense sector’s link to government policy.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Pentagon worship service invoking 'overwhelming violence of action' against enemies, while unveiling chaplain corps reforms to reduce religious-code fragmentation and replace officer insignia with religious insignia, a move that drew criticism and lawsuits over church-state neutrality in federal workplaces.