Pentagon infighting, GOP concerns mount over defence secretary's leadership

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing growing scrutiny from within the Pentagon and among Republicans on Capitol Hill over his management of the Department of Defence, with critics citing a string of missteps and internal turbulence.

Concerns center on Hegseth’s lack of experience overseeing a department as vast as the Pentagon, which employs 3.4 million people and operates on a budget nearing $1 trillion. His leadership style, reliance on a small group of close advisers, and strained relations with top military officials have sparked frustration in both the White House and Congress, Caliber.Az reports The Wall Street Journal. 

Among the flashpoints was Hegseth’s refusal to remove acting chief of staff Ricky Buria, despite concerns about his qualifications and past criticism of senior officials.

“President Trump has full confidence in Secretary Hegseth, who is doing an incredible job leading the DOD,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. However, some administration officials blamed poor Pentagon staffwork for failing to inform Trump of a temporary halt in weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.), who cast the deciding vote to confirm Hegseth in January, voiced concerns over the department’s leadership turnover: “If you just look at the broader turnover and the lack of consistency there in terms of executive management, I think it’s a red flag.”

Hegseth’s tenure has been marred by personnel turmoil. He suspended three senior aides in April over unsubstantiated leaking allegations, and has yet to replace them. A separate March incident involving a leaked group chat discussing Yemen operations—shared by Buria on Hegseth’s personal phone—is now under Pentagon review.

Tensions with top generals have also intensified. Hegseth blocked the promotion of Gen. Douglas Sims and attempted to fire Gen. Christopher Cavoli after clashing over Ukraine policy and protests at a German military base. Hegseth also bypassed the Joint Chiefs by privately meeting Elon Musk, leaving top officers waiting in a secure briefing room.

In Congress, dissatisfaction grew after the Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 defense budget request, shaped under Hegseth’s watch, maintained spending at $892.6 billion—an amount GOP lawmakers said failed to account for inflation and was effectively a cut. On July 31, the Republican-led Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a version of the bill adding $21.7 billion over the administration’s proposal.

Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.) criticized Hegseth’s handling of the Ukraine weapons delay: “Making that decision without telling the president? That wasn’t smart.” He added, “If I was his boss, I would have fired him.”

Still, some Republicans continue to back Hegseth. “I think Secretary Hegseth has done a great job,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R., Okla.). “So if he needs a front office filled, he’ll fill it as he needs it.”

Despite the internal strife and criticism, there are no signs that Hegseth’s job is in immediate jeopardy, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance continuing to support him.

By Sabina Mammadli