Publicly, Senate Republicans still have confidence in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s ability to lead his department. But the constant stream of negative headlines surrounding Hegseth hasn’t been lost among them.
“There is certainly some grousing right now,” a Republican senator who was granted anonymity so they could share private conversations told NOTUS. This senator said that there are concerns over Hegseth removing staff the secretary has known for years.
“They’re saying, ‘Come on, we gave him the benefit of the doubt for the nom, but now we’re getting this other stuff.’ It doesn’t add up to good leadership,” this senator said.