Senator Jeanne Shaheen said on Sunday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegses “created chaos” at the Pentagon Shake-up staffing Recent reporting information on airstrikes in Yemen shared on Signal Group Chat.
“The fact is that Pete Hegses is not qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense, and he has shown it over and over again.” Shaheen said, “Faced with Margaret Brennan and the People.”. ”
Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army veteran and former Fox News host, faced scrutiny during the confirmation process earlier this year, making it the pick where President Trump suffers the most from the top post of his administration. The Senate is ultimately I approved his confirmation With a narrow vote. However, in recent weeks he has faced new scrutiny over the use of encrypted messaging app signals.
Last week, the report circulated that Heggs Shared details About US airstrikes looming in Yemen with a private signal group that includes his wife, brothers and personal lawyers. After it was revealed last month, it was the second signal group chat that Heggs shared information. The journalist is Incorrectly included in group chat Where the timing and targets of Yemen’s attacks on the Houtis were shared.
CBS News reported on Friday by the Pentagon Set up the system At Hegseth’s office, allowing him to check messages on the signal while he is in the office. According to two sources, the system bypassed standard defense department security protocols. A Pentagon spokesman denied the use of signals currently within Hegses’ office.
Meanwhile, many political appointees have recently been resigned or fired in the pentagon, and Hegses has not had several important staff.
Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat who is on the Senate Armed Worship Committee, claimed that Hegses is not qualified for the role by sharing information via signalling, showing that he is not qualified for the role due to the lack of appropriate staff to support him, and accusing him of creating “the confusion that now involves our enactment forces.” She added that he “will not be held responsible for his actions.”
“For those who serve under him, he has shown that he is not the kind of leader we need at this point and that he is not a kind of role model,” Shaheen said.
In response to Shaheen’s comments, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell pointed out the previous administration instead. Parnell cited “pentagonal chaos” as evidenced by Afghanistan’s withdrawal and “a divisive del culture that destroyed the morale of its service members.” He also pointed to “weak leadership” that said Russia had invaded Ukraine, Hamas attacked Israel and that Hooty rebels shot and killed US ships.
“In all this very real confusion, no one person was fired or held accountable, and Sen. Shaheen was silent,” Parnell said. “Secretary Hegseth is bringing accountability and combat back to the Pentagon. Americans care about the outcome. So far, SecDef has got an A+.”
In March, Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker; A bipartisan request has been announced For a quick watchdog investigation of Signal Chat Leak. Shaheen added that it was “important” that the requests were bipartisan, and that she added, “they will come up with recommendations soon.”
The GOP-led Senate Armed Forces Committee advanced the appointment of Hegses in January, with all fellow Democrats on the committee voting to move him forward. Vice President JD Vance had to tear his tie For the first time in history, the Vice President has smashed the Tie of the Secretary of Defense to confirm Hegus.
Hegseth pushed back criticism last week, telling reporters “some leakers are fired and all of a sudden there are a lot of hits out there.”
“We’re going to change the Department of Defense and bring the pentagon back to the fighter’s hands,” Hegses said. “And anonymous smears from former employees who are dissatisfied with old news are not important.”
Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.
