Senator Thom Tillis Calls for Trump's Dismissal of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

United States Senator Thom Tillis has called on President Donald Trump to dismiss Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, citing what he describes as 'inept mismanagement' within the military amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. In a social media post on Wednesday, Tillis criticized Hegseth's leadership, contrasting him unfavorably with former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned on Monday following reported disagreements with Hegseth. Tillis stated, 'I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country. He is intimidated by competence and retreats to ginning up culture wars instead of soberly attending to the vital work of our national defense and the health and well-being of our fighting force.' He urged Trump to appoint a new leader at the Pentagon who would support military talent rather than diminish it. Tillis, a Republican senator from North Carolina, has become increasingly critical of party policies he believes threaten democracy. He announced in June 2025 that he would not seek re-election in the upcoming congressional midterm elections, with his term ending in January. Tillis was among the senators who voted to confirm Hegseth as Secretary of Defense early in Trump's second term, despite concerns regarding Hegseth's past conduct. Since taking office, Hegseth has implemented controversial changes at the Pentagon, including efforts to limit media access and address what he terms 'wokeness' in the military. Tillis questioned Hegseth's focus on culture war issues instead of modernizing military strategies, particularly in light of evolving warfare demonstrated in conflicts such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the US-Israeli war against Iran. He suggested that Driscoll's resignation was a consequence of Hegseth's management style, stating, 'If we had a Secretary of Defense who maintained the same priorities and forward-thinking, he would be fighting to retain talented leaders like Dan and the many flag officers he has forced into retirement. Instead, he is creating a leadership void at the top of our military ranks.' Hegseth has faced increasing scrutiny as the US military grapples with challenges in the ongoing war with Iran, which began on February 28 and recently marked its six-month anniversary. Reports indicate that the conflict has strained the Pentagon's resources, affecting munitions stockpiles and the military's future operational capabilities. Additionally, the war has impacted the approval ratings of the Trump administration, which have declined ahead of the November congressional elections. A University of Massachusetts poll released on August 31 indicated that over two-thirds of Americans disapprove of the administration's handling of the war.