In a blistering critique published by The Atlantic, national security expert and columnist Tom Nichols has called for the immediate resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing an unprecedented pattern of blunders, breaches, and mismanagement that, he argues, pose a serious risk to U.S. national security.
Hegseth, a former Army major and Fox News personality, was appointed by President Donald Trump in his second term to lead the Pentagon. His nomination was controversial from the outset, with critics questioning both his qualifications and temperament. Now, three months into his tenure, that controversy has evolved into outright chaos.
Nichols describes Hegseth’s appointment as a trifecta of political irresponsibility: Trump’s poor judgment in nominating him, Hegseth’s acceptance of a role for which he was unqualified, and the Senate’s failure to reject the confirmation. “Qualifications, self-awareness, and courage are relics in today’s Washington,” Nichols wrote, lamenting the erosion of accountability in America’s highest offices.
The scandals engulfing Hegseth range from ideological extremism to dangerous breaches of security protocols. His campaign against what he dubbed “woke military culture” led to the removal of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from the Naval Academy’s library, while leaving Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf untouched—a decision that drew backlash even among Annapolis alumni.
But the real damage, Nichols argues, lies in Hegseth’s handling of sensitive military operations. In a now-infamous episode dubbed “Signalgate,” Hegseth reportedly shared details of a pending strike on Houthi targets in Yemen via an unsecured messaging app. Making matters worse, one of the unintended recipients of the Signal group chat was The Atlantic’s own editor-in-chief. Hegseth’s carelessness escalated the situation to dangerous levels, potentially endangering U.S. forces and compromising operational integrity.
Worse still, The New York Times later uncovered that Hegseth had shared similar details in a second Signal group that included his wife, brother, and lawyer. The group—dubbed “Defense | Team Huddle”—allegedly had no secure clearance or reason to access military intelligence. While the administration insisted nothing classified was shared, the optics were disastrous.
Amid these scandals, the Pentagon has been in turmoil. Staffers have been purged, morale has plummeted, and power struggles have erupted within Hegseth’s inner circle. His chief of staff, Joe Kasper, was recently reassigned, while other senior officials were fired or resigned under pressure. According to Politico, John Ullyot, a staunch Trump ally, has joined a growing chorus calling for Hegseth’s dismissal, citing “total chaos” within the Department of Defense.
Despite this, the Trump White House is publicly standing by Hegseth—for now. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has portrayed the beleaguered defense chief as a victim of internal sabotage. “This is what happens when the entire Pentagon resists transformational change,” she said on Fox News.
But insiders suggest the president’s patience may be running thin. Leaks to the press indicate that the administration is already quietly scouting for replacements. Nichols interprets these leaks as evidence of a campaign to pressure Hegseth into stepping down before Trump is forced to dismiss him publicly.
Throughout the unraveling, Hegseth has maintained an aggressive media presence, brushing off criticism as politically motivated attacks. During a trip to Hawaii, he downplayed the Signal scandal, casting himself as the target of a smear campaign. Nichols, however, views these deflections as a symptom of Hegseth’s deeper failure to lead. “He has behaved not as the steward of the world’s most powerful military,” Nichols writes, “but as an overwhelmed, whiny appointee dodging accountability.”
The White House may be in damage control mode, but the growing chorus of critics—from media commentators to former allies—suggests that Hegseth’s time may be up. As Nichols concludes, if the defense secretary truly values the country he claims to serve, “he should make the honorable choice and resign—today.”
Whether Hegseth heeds that call or forces another showdown inside the increasingly volatile Trump administration remains to be seen. But the stakes, as Nichols underscores, have never been higher.
