Republican senators are growing seriously frustrated with Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership following a series of high-profile security controversies at the Pentagon. While the GOP isn’t exactly vouching for him, most senators are carefully avoiding public criticism and are making it clear that the final decision on Hegseth’s fate rests entirely with President Trump.
This political tightrope walk comes after months of what Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) described as a “bumpy” tenure atop the Pentagon since his confirmation in January. Many Republicans feel they can’t publicly challenge Hegseth because President Trump went to bat for him during those difficult confirmation hearings. They are keeping their distance from the escalating list of issues, according to The Hill.
