GOP Rep Calls for Trump to Fire Defense Secretary Hegseth

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, has become the first House Republican to publicly call for President Donald Trump to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing a lack of experience and recent controversies involving the mishandling of sensitive military information on unclassified messaging apps like Signal. Bacon, a former Air Force general, expressed concerns over Hegseth's qualifications to lead the Department of Defense, referencing reports that Hegseth shared information about military operations in Yemen with family members in private chats, which critics argue poses a significant national security risk. The situation has triggered a rare division among House Republicans, with Bacon and others pointing to a broader sense of chaos and dysfunction at the Pentagon under Hegseth's leadership. Former Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot also resigned and warned in an op-ed that the Defense Department was in 'total chaos' and that the dysfunction is a distraction for the President. Critics argue that Hegseth's appointment is an example of prioritizing loyalty over competence, as his previous leadership experience was limited to small nonprofit organizations. President Trump, however, has continued to defend Hegseth despite mounting pressure and negative media coverage.