Pentagon Sources Report Defense Secretary Hegseth Manic, Obsessed With Security After Kirk Assassination

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of War, is reportedly experiencing extreme anxiety and paranoia about being assassinated following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Pentagon insiders describe Hegseth as "crawling out of his skin," frequently erupting into tirades and obsessing over his personal security, with the Army's Criminal Investigation Division assigned to protect his residences. His erratic behavior has influenced his policy decisions, including ordering all military officials above one-star general rank to convene in Virginia for a meeting, a move criticized for potentially exposing American forces by leaving leadership posts vacant. During this meeting, Hegseth emphasized a "warrior ethos" and criticized diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) initiatives and LGBTQ+ policies within the military, actions that have unsettled many officers. His tenure has also seen the firing of numerous high-ranking military leaders, many of whom were Black or women, alongside barring transgender troops from service and attempting to deny retirement benefits. These developments have caused concern within the military about possible widespread firings and shifts in national security strategy amid ongoing global threats.