"I have never witnessed such incompetence in managing the brave service members who serve our country," Republican Senator Thom Tillis wrote on 2/9 in a message urging U.S. President Donald Trump to dismiss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
He accused Secretary Hegseth of "feeling threatened by competent individuals" and intentionally promoting cultural debates instead of focusing on professional expertise.
"I urge the President to find a new leader at the Pentagon, one who will retain and empower talented individuals in the military rather than undermine it," Senator Tillis stated.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies before the Senate Budget Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on 21/7. Photo: AFP
Tillis further compared Secretary Hegseth to former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who recently resigned amid rumors of disagreements with Pentagon leadership.
"Our understanding of warfare is being challenged in places like Ukraine and Iran, and Dan understood that old operating methods are no longer effective," Tillis wrote.
Tillis asserted that Hegseth is "creating a leadership vacuum at the highest levels of the military" as numerous generals and senior Department of Defense officials have been fired or resigned over the past 18 months.
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have not commented on Tillis's remarks.
The Republican senator has recently been outspoken in criticizing some of President Trump's policies, including the American Rescue Plan (SAVE) bill aimed at tightening voter identity verification. In 6/2025, Tillis announced he would not seek re-election to the Senate and would conclude his term in 1/2027.
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Senator Thom Tillis speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on 23/7. Photo: AFP
Early in President Trump's second term, Tillis voted to confirm Hegseth, a former TV host, as Defense Secretary. After taking office, Hegseth removed what he termed "woke" elements from the military, a concept the Trump administration often used to refer to policies promoting cultural diversity. Many senior military leaders were dismissed, while some promotions were stalled for review.
Secretary Hegseth has faced significant pressure in recent months as the U.S. has not achieved its military objectives in the war with Iran, now in its 7th month. U.S. experts and media suggest the Pentagon is grappling with depleted arsenals, reducing its ability to conduct other operations in the future.
The war has also impacted support for the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections in November. More than two-thirds of Americans disapprove of the administration's handling of the conflict, according to a University of Massachusetts survey released on 31/8.
Thanh Danh (According to Al Jazeera, Hill, AP)
