Senator Jeanne Shaheen said on Sunday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseeth “created chaos” in the pentagon in the middle of Personnel shakeists And recently informing information about air attacks in Yemen shared in signal groups chats.
“The fact is that Pete Hegseeth was not qualified to take work as Secretary of Defense, and has shown that again and again”, “,”, ” Shaheen said in “in front of the nation with Margaret Brennan. “
Hegseeth, a 44 -year -old army veteran and former host of Fox News, faced the duration of scrutiny the confirmation process earlier this year, becoming the most accumulated selections of President Trump for the best positions in his administration. The Senate finally Approved his confirmation In a narrow vote. But in recent weeks, he faced a renewed scrutiny about the use of the signal of the encrypted messaging application.
Last week, the reports circulated that Hegseeth Shared details On imminent US air attacks in Yemen in a group of private signals, which included his wife, his brother and personal lawyer. It was the second chat of the group of signals where Hegseth shared the information, after it was revealed last month that a journalist was Inadvertently included in a group chat Where the moment was shared and the objectives of the attack on the hutis in Yemen.
CBS News reported Friday that the Pentagon Configure a system In Hegseeth’s office, that allowed him to verify the messages on the signal while he was in the office. Two of the sources said the system avoids the security protocols of the standard department of defense. A defense department spokesman denied that there is currently a signal use within the Hegseeth office.
Meanwhile, a number or named politicians resigned or have been fired in the Pentagon in recent days, leaving Hegseth without some history.
Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat who is in the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued that Hegseth has shown that he is not qualified for the paper by sharing the information about the signal and not having appropriate staff to support it, the scale or creation or creation of sullen. Military. “He added that” he has no responsibility tasks for his actions. “
“For those who serve under him, he has shown that he is not the son of the model to follow, nor the lead son we need at this time,” Shaheen said.
In March, the president of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, announced a bipartisan application For accelerated gifts investment on signal chat filtration. Shaheen said it is “important” that the application was bipartisan, adding that he hopes “will come out soon with recommendations.”
The Senate Armed Forces Committee led by the Republican Party advanced Hegseeth’s appointment in January, and all Democratic fellow members joined Shaheen in the committee to vote against advancing. Vice President JD Vance had to break the tie To confirm Hegseth, the first time in history, a vice president broke the tie in a Secretary of Defense.
CBS News contacted the Pentagon to comment and did not immediately turn an answer.
Hegseeth backed out the criticism last week, telling journalists to “fire a few leaks and come out a lot of success.”
“We are changing the defense department, putting the pentagon in the hands of the warriors,” Hegseeth said. “And anonymous spots of former discontent employees in Old News no mater.”
Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.
