The Washington, D.C. circuit has its hair on fire. The mayhem is only getting worse.
And now a U.S. Congressmember has gone rogue to personally attack President Trump.
Pentagon Under Fire: Calls Mount for Hegseth’s Ouster Amid Security Concerns
The Trump administration faces mounting pressure as Republican Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a respected voice in Congress, became the first GOP lawmaker to publicly call for the removal of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday. The recommendation stems from allegations that Hegseth mishandled sensitive military information, raising questions about his fitness to lead the Pentagon. While President Donald Trump remains steadfast in his support for Hegseth, dismissing the concerns as a “waste of time,” the controversy has sparked a broader debate about leadership and accountability in the Department of Defense.
Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general and chairman of the House Armed Services cyber-focused subcommittee, expressed alarm over reports that Hegseth shared sensitive details about Houthi rebel attack plans with family members via Signal, an unclassified messaging platform. “If it’s true that he had another [Signal] chat with his family, about the missions against the Houthis, it’s totally unacceptable,” Bacon told Politico. His concerns center on the potential security risks posed by such actions, particularly given the Pentagon’s critical role in national defense.
The Nebraska Republican’s criticism carries weight due to his military background and moderate stance within the GOP. Representing one of three GOP-held House districts won by Vice President Kamala Harris in November, Bacon has a track record of speaking out when he perceives missteps in governance. “Russia and China put up thousands of people to monitor all these phone calls at the very top, and the No. 1 target besides the president … would be the secretary of Defense,” Bacon said, emphasizing the gravity of Hegseth’s alleged actions. “Russia and China are all over his phone, and for him to be putting secret stuff on his phone is not right. He’s acting like he’s above the law — and that shows an amateur person.”
The Department of Defense has pushed back against the allegations, with Senior DOD spokesperson Sean Parnell taking to X to defend Hegseth. “The Trump-hating media continues to be obsessed with destroying anyone committed to President Trump’s agenda,” Parnell wrote. “There was no classified information in any Signal chat, no matter how many ways they try to write the story.” The statement reflects the administration’s broader strategy of framing criticism as politically motivated attacks, a tactic that resonates with Trump’s base but may not quell concerns among lawmakers like Bacon.
🚨 JUST IN: Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) demands Pete Hegseth be fired as Secretary of Defense.
All-out assault, Republicans now coming out against him.
WH says he is staying. pic.twitter.com/KnnUMI2TeI
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 21, 2025
Hegseth’s tenure as Defense Secretary has been tumultuous since his narrow Senate confirmation in January, secured only by Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski opposed his nomination, citing his lack of experience in managing the Pentagon’s vast operations. These early doubts have been amplified by recent events, including Hegseth’s decision to place three DOD advisors on leave starting April 15, a move Bacon described as contributing to a “meltdown” at the Pentagon.
“There’s a lot — a lot — of smoke coming out of the Pentagon, and I got to believe there’s some fire there somewhere,” Bacon told Politico, signaling his growing unease with Hegseth’s leadership. His comments echo earlier criticisms he leveled against the Trump administration in March, when he called out senior officials for inadvertently sharing sensitive military data with a journalist via Signal. Bacon’s willingness to break ranks with his party suggests a principled stand, rooted in his decades of military service.
The chorus of criticism extends beyond Congress. In a scathing op-ed published Sunday in Politico, former Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot described the Pentagon under Hegseth as being in “total chaos.” “[A]fter a terrible month, the Pentagon focus is no longer on warfighting, but on endless drama,” Ullyot wrote. His remarks paint a picture of a department struggling to maintain its core mission amid internal strife and leadership missteps.
Hegseth, for his part, has dismissed Ullyot’s critique, telling reporters on Monday that Ullyot is among several “disgruntled employees” attempting to tarnish his reputation. The Defense Secretary’s combative tone aligns with the Trump administration’s approach to deflecting criticism, but it risks alienating lawmakers like Bacon who value institutional stability over partisan loyalty.
The controversy surrounding Hegseth comes at a critical time for the Trump administration, which has prioritized a strong national defense agenda. The President’s unwavering support for Hegseth may reflect his commitment to loyalty within his inner circle, a hallmark of his leadership style. However, as allegations of mismanagement and security lapses pile up, even staunch allies may begin to question whether Hegseth is the right person to steer the Pentagon through an increasingly complex global landscape.
Bacon’s call for Hegseth’s removal is unlikely to prompt immediate action from the White House, given Trump’s public backing of his Defense Secretary. “I’m not in the White House, and I’m not going to tell the White House how to manage this … but I find it unacceptable, and I wouldn’t tolerate it if I was in charge,” Bacon said, striking a measured tone that avoids direct confrontation with the President. His approach reflects a desire to uphold national security standards without fueling intraparty divisions.
The situation places the Trump administration in a delicate position. While Hegseth’s supporters argue that he is being unfairly targeted by a hostile media, the concerns raised by Bacon and others cannot be easily dismissed. The Pentagon’s role in safeguarding the nation demands a leader who commands trust and demonstrates competence, particularly in handling sensitive information. If further evidence of misconduct emerges, the pressure on Trump to reconsider his support for Hegseth could intensify.
The Trump administration is in the tough position of trying to balance its commitment to its agenda with the need to maintain credibility on national security. For now, Bacon’s critique stands as a rare but significant GOP challenge to the President’s team, signaling that even within the party, there are limits to tolerance for controversy. The coming weeks will likely determine whether Hegseth can weather the storm or if the “smoke” at the Pentagon, as Bacon put it, signals a deeper crisis.
The Conservative Column will update you on any further Pentagon news from the Trump administration.
