Congressman Bacon Calls for Defense Secretary Replacement Amid Controversies
Amid rising tensions and strategic decisions in the Caribbean, Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon has voiced his dissatisfaction with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Bacon has renewed his call for Hegseth’s replacement, citing recent military actions and a critical Pentagon report.
The Pentagon Inspector General released a report regarding Hegseth’s use of Signal to discuss military strategies for a strike in Yemen. The report suggested that such actions by Hegseth posed a threat to operational security, potentially jeopardizing U.S. missions and exposing pilots to risk.
A spokesperson for Hegseth countered the report’s implications, describing it as a “TOTAL exoneration of Secretary Hegseth and proves what we all knew – no classified information was shared.”
Bacon expressed his concern about the Pentagon’s handling of the situation, stating, “What I expected to hear from the Secretary of Defense was ‘I made a mistake. I was wrong, I learned my lesson, it’ll never happen again.’ But we have not heard that. We just keep hearing a denial.” He further criticized that the lack of accountability undermines Hegseth’s leadership credibility.
In addition to this incident, Bacon criticized several foreign policy choices, such as the Pentagon’s decision to halt aid to Ukraine and the withdrawal of troops from Romania, which reportedly occurred without prior communication with European allies or the U.S. Congress.
Bacon questioned Hegseth’s preparedness for his role, stating, “I think we should have a new Secretary of Defense.” He expressed hope that President Trump might reconsider Hegseth’s position in light of these issues.
The Congressman also took issue with President Trump’s lack of communication with Congress regarding military movements near Venezuela. The U.S. has reportedly stationed warships and personnel in the Caribbean, labeling Venezuela’s government as a terrorist entity.
Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, highlighted the absence of briefings on this military presence, urging, “The president needs to tell the American people if there’s indeed a planned invasion or a planned operation within Venezuela itself.”
Following reports by the Washington Post and New York Times, which claimed Hegseth ordered Navy Seals to eliminate all survivors in a drug boat strike, Bacon sought clarity. He referenced recent testimony from the Navy admiral involved, which clarified that Hegseth did not issue such orders. “I think we got to the truth today, largely,” Bacon remarked.
Bacon advised that further military actions, such as strikes on drug boats, should be discussed in Congress to gain broader support. “[The Trump administration] provided a written justification of the legal basis for doing these boats,” Bacon noted, emphasizing the need to verify intelligence on the narcotics carried by these vessels.
He also suggested that a hearing might be beneficial to determine if targeting survivors aligns with the rules of engagement, ensuring clarity for U.S. troops involved in such operations.
