Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has become the first Republican member of Congress to publicly support the removal of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following a series of scandals that have tarnished Hegseth’s reputation. Bacon’s comments, made on Monday, come as the Pentagon grapples with growing criticism of its leadership and operational security under Hegseth’s tenure.
The controversies surrounding Hegseth, who was appointed Secretary of Defense under the current administration, have raised serious questions about his ability to effectively manage national security. The New York Times reported that Hegseth used the encrypted messaging service Signal to share sensitive military information, including details of strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Alarmingly, the Signal chat in question reportedly included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer—raising concerns about the security of classified data and the propriety of such communication channels being used for military operations.
Bacon, a prominent Republican voice who chairs a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed his concerns in a statement to Axios, arguing that such breaches of security cannot be tolerated. “The military should always pride itself on operational security. If the reports are true, the Secretary of Defense has failed at operational security, and that is unacceptable,” Bacon said.
He continued, emphasizing that any Democrat involved in similar misconduct would be facing intense scrutiny from his party. “If a Democrat did this, we’d be demanding a scalp. I don’t like hypocrisy. We should be Americans first when it comes to security,” Bacon added.
His comments reflect a growing dissatisfaction within certain Republican circles over Hegseth’s conduct and the leadership of the Pentagon.
Hegseth’s troubles come in the wake of a series of high-profile departures among top Pentagon officials, some of whom have publicly criticized the Defense Department’s dysfunction and the apparent mismanagement of sensitive operations.
The departures, coupled with the recent revelations about Hegseth’s use of Signal, have placed the Secretary of Defense under intense scrutiny. Some analysts have pointed to a broader pattern of disorganization within the Pentagon, where internal conflicts and leaks appear to have become more frequent in recent months.
The concerns raised by Bacon and others are compounded by the growing perception that Hegseth’s leadership has failed to maintain the necessary levels of security and confidentiality required in military affairs. The New York Times report highlighted that the Signal chat, which included his family members and legal advisors, may have inadvertently exposed classified information to individuals without the necessary security clearances.
This revelation has sparked outrage among military and intelligence experts who argue that such lapses in operational security could have far-reaching consequences for national security.
Bacon, who represents a district that is traditionally conservative but was carried by Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2020 election, is known for his pragmatic approach to national security and military affairs.
His comments about Hegseth mark a significant departure from the typical party line, as most Republicans have previously supported the Secretary of Defense in public statements. Bacon’s willingness to speak out highlights the growing divide within the party over Hegseth’s handling of his duties at the Pentagon.
While Bacon is the first Republican to explicitly call for Hegseth’s removal, other members of the GOP have privately expressed concerns about his leadership, though they have been hesitant to go public with their criticism.
The scandals involving Hegseth have raised difficult questions about his suitability for the role of Secretary of Defense, with many wondering whether his behavior will ultimately undermine the integrity of the military.
On the other side of the debate, President Donald Trump has expressed unwavering support for Hegseth, dismissing the scandals as exaggerated and claiming that the reports about his use of Signal and alleged dysfunction at the Pentagon are simply “fake news.”
In comments to reporters, Trump defended Hegseth, saying, “Pete’s doing a great job. Everybody’s happy about him.” Trump’s remarks came despite the growing chorus of criticism within the Republican Party, and he downplayed the significance of the controversies, attributing them to disgruntled employees looking to cause trouble.
Hegseth himself has also pushed back against the allegations, calling the reports about his communication practices and the Pentagon’s internal issues misleading. “It’s just fake news,” he told reporters. “They just bring up stories. It sounds like disgruntled employees.”
The White House has similarly attempted to quell concerns, with aides denying reports that officials are considering replacements for Hegseth. Despite this, the ongoing controversies surrounding his leadership have placed the Secretary of Defense in an increasingly vulnerable position.
As the situation unfolds, the question of whether Hegseth will continue in his role or be forced to step down remains uncertain. The Pentagon’s leadership crisis has become a point of contention within both the Republican Party and the broader political landscape.
While Hegseth enjoys strong backing from President Trump and a faction of the GOP, the mounting pressure from within his own party could ultimately prove too much for him to overcome.
For now, Hegseth’s fate hangs in the balance as lawmakers and the public continue to grapple with the fallout from the scandals. Bacon’s call for his ouster represents a significant shift in the political dynamics surrounding the Secretary of Defense, and it is likely that other Republicans may follow suit in the coming days.
If the allegations against Hegseth are proven true, it could mark a turning point in the relationship between the military and the political establishment, as well as a defining moment for the current administration’s handling of national security matters.
In the meantime, Bacon’s public call for accountability reflects a growing sentiment within the Republican Party that leaders should be held to the highest standards of integrity, particularly when it comes to matters of national security.
Whether this sentiment will translate into action remains to be seen, but it is clear that the pressure on Hegseth is building. As the investigation into his conduct continues, the future of his tenure at the Pentagon hangs in the balance, with Republican voices increasingly divided over his ability to lead the nation’s defense efforts effectively.
