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Minister of Defense
United States
(US) Pete Hegseth is under pressure due to scandals involving attacks on suspected drug-related vessels and the use of the Signal app to discuss sensitive military information.
That sparked growing criticism and calls for him to resign.
“He is in another difficult position. In fact, his two big problems have now merged,” said retired US Marine colonel and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Mark Cancian as quoted by
AFP
, Sunday (7/12).
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However, Cancian believes that Hegseth still has the trust of US President Donald Trump.
“But he still seems to have (US President Donald) Trump’s trust, even though he lost the support of some members of the Republican Party. So, I don’t think he is in a fatal situation,” said Cancian.
Former deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy during the Obama administration, Jim Townsend said Hegseth was in a difficult position.
He thinks that Trump has a defense secretary who makes him very dizzy.
Townsend agrees Hegseth likely won’t be fired immediately.
“But if something happens that really inflames the Republican Party or embarrasses Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, they’ll probably try to move him somewhere else,” Townsend said.
Yemeni attack
Hegseth previously came under fire for alleged financial mismanagement at a veterans nonprofit where he previously worked, reports of excessive alcohol consumption, and allegations of sexual assault against a woman in California.
His tenure as defense minister was also marred by scandals, including one related to the offensive in Yemen launched in mid-March.
The Atlantic magazine revealed its editor-in-chief was accidentally involved in a Signal chat in which officials, including Hegseth, discussed the upcoming operation.
The Pentagon chief sent a message regarding the time of the attack several hours before it occurred and information about the planes and missiles involved.
The incident sparked an investigation by the Pentagon’s independent inspector general’s office, which concluded in a report that Hegseth’s actions could result in potential harm to US pilots.
Targeting ships suspected of transporting drugs
Another controversy stems from the September 2 attack on a ship suspected of transporting drugs in the Pacific.
The first attack left only survivors, while a subsequent attack killed both people.
Hegseth and the White House have repeatedly said the decision for a second strike was made by the operational commander, Adm. Frank Bradley, rather than the Secretary of Defense.
Lawmakers attended a confidential briefing on Capitol Hill this week and were shown video footage of the incident.
“The footage shows the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors, bad guys,” but attacking shipwrecked sailors,” said Democratic Rep. Jim Himes.
Hegseth has faced calls from some Democratic lawmakers to resign or be fired over the subsequent attacks and Signal controversy, but his tenure appears safe for now.
However, Cancian said another scandal could prompt the Trump administration to remove him as defense secretary.
“If there might be another scandal after this… the White House might lose patience,” Cancian said.
(fby/mic)
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