Republicans Rally Behind Hegseth Amid Leadership Controversy

Republican support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is showing signs of strain following a series of controversies, including leaked Signal chats where he shared sensitive military plans with family members, and reports of chaotic staff shake-ups within the Pentagon. While President Trump and some GOP leaders continue to defend Hegseth publicly, a growing number of Republican lawmakers and advisers privately express concern about his professionalism and the distractions his actions create for the administration. Some, like Sen. Kevin Cramer, maintain faith in Hegseth's leadership but acknowledge he needs more institutional expertise and stable support around him to manage the Pentagon's challenges. Others warn that continued missteps could erode the goodwill Hegseth currently enjoys among his backers, with some viewing his recent staff firings as either a reset opportunity or a sign of deeper disarray. Most Republicans, however, are reluctant to openly criticize Hegseth due to the political risks of crossing Trump and the heavy investment in confirming him. For now, the GOP is betting the controversies will subside, though the patience of even loyal supporters appears limited if further incidents occur.