Republican Backlash Grows Over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Senators Thom Tillis (North Carolina), Susan Collins (Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia) and Joni Ernst (Iowa) have publicly questioned Hegseth’s management of the war with Iran. Tillis declared he has “lost my confidence,” citing the forced retirement of senior military leaders and what he described as micromanagement at the Pentagon. Collins called the departures “deeply troubling,” while Capito and Ernst warned that public patience with the unresolved conflict is wearing thin.

Newsweek

A Marquette Law School poll conducted July 22-29 found Hegseth tied with President Donald Trump for the lowest net favorability among administration figures tested, at minus 22 points, with a 23 percent favorable rating and a 45 percent unfavorable rating. The same poll noted that 32 percent of respondents were unfamiliar enough with Hegseth to form an opinion. By contrast, an earlier Marquette poll from May 20-26 showed Hegseth with a net favorability of plus 36 points among Republicans, 55 percent favorable and 19 percent unfavorable. The July poll also recorded a drop in Republican enthusiasm for the November election, from 36 percent in May to 30 percent.

Newsweek

The Washington Post reported that President Trump confronted Hegseth at Camp David, demanding an explanation for alleged severe munitions shortages that limited U.S. options against Iran. According to two sources familiar with the exchange, Hegseth blamed Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg for the shortages and for not keeping Trump fully informed. The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the report “100 % fake news” and said the encounter “literally never happened.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed the denial, stating Hegseth did not mislead anyone about the munitions posture and did not blame Feinberg. The Post, however, noted that the U.S. had fired more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles, over 1,000 Patriot and THAAD interceptors, and more than 1,300 Army tactical ballistic missiles in the first month of the war that began on February 28, depleting stockpiles.

Newsweek

President Trump defended Hegseth on Truth Social, saying he was “extremely happy” with the secretary’s work and citing “massive amounts” of munitions being manufactured and shipped as needed. The White House reiterated that Trump has “the utmost confidence” in Hegseth. Pentagon officials affirmed that Hegseth “isn’t going anywhere” and will continue working alongside Feinberg.

Newsweek

Hegseth, Feinberg, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine have asked Congress for an additional $67 billion to replenish depleted missile stockpiles. Senate Republicans have not yet acted on the request, leaving the funding gap unresolved as the conflict enters its sixth month.

Newsweek