U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth Faces Intensifying Pressure Over Strikes and Signal Use

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing mounting scrutiny over two major controversies — disputed strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats and his use of the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss sensitive military operations. The overlapping scandals have led to growing criticism, with several lawmakers calling for his resignation.

Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major and ex–Fox News co-host who was narrowly confirmed earlier this year, has long been a polarising figure. But the latest developments have further intensified the pressure on him.

Two Major Controversies Converge

Military analyst Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Hegseth now finds himself in an even more precarious position.

“He’s in another difficult position. In fact, his two big problems have now merged,” Cancian said.
“But he seems to retain President Trump’s confidence, even as he’s lost support of some Republicans. So I don’t think he’s in a fatal situation.”

Jim Townsend, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for European and NATO policy under the Obama administration, echoed the concerns.

Hegseth is “on thin ice,” Townsend said, adding that Trump currently has “a Secretary of Defence that is giving him lots of headaches.”
He noted that while Hegseth may not be dismissed immediately, any scandal that angers Republicans or embarrasses the MAGA movement could prompt the administration to “move him somewhere else.”

Signal Messaging Scandal and Yemen Strikes

Hegseth’s use of Signal during a classified planning process has sparked serious scrutiny. In mid-March, officials — including Hegseth — discussed an upcoming strike in Yemen in a Signal chat that accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief.

According to the Pentagon inspector general’s report released on December 4, Hegseth shared:

• timing details of the strikes hours before they occurred,

• information about aircraft and missiles involved.

The inspector general concluded that these actions could have caused “potential harm to U.S. pilots.”

Deadly Follow-Up Strike on Alleged Drug Boat

Another major controversy stems from a September 2 operation in the Pacific targeting an alleged narco-smuggling vessel. A first strike left survivors, but a follow-up attack killed the two remaining individuals.

Hegseth and the White House insist the second strike decision was made by Admiral Frank Bradley, the operational commander, not by the Defence Secretary.

Lawmakers recently watched extended classified footage of the operation, leading to starkly different interpretations:

• Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat, condemned it as

  “the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors — bad guys, bad guys — but attacking shipwrecked sailors.”

• Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican, defended the operation as

  “entirely lawful and needful,”
  arguing that the survivors were trying to right the overturned drug-laden boat and “stay in the fight.”

Calls for Resignation Continue

Some Democratic lawmakers have openly urged Hegseth to resign or be removed. However, officials suggest his job is secure for now due to Trump’s support.

Still, analysts warn that Hegseth cannot afford another scandal.

“If there’s maybe another one after this... the White House might lose its patience,” Cancian said, calling the controversies so far “very embarrassing.”