Overview

• Hegseth authorized a unilateral pause on Ukraine weapons deliveries last week without notifying the White House, triggering panic among senior officials.
• Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and other insiders say his repeated surprises have left Hegseth on a short leash in the Oval Office.
• President Trump said he did not know who ordered the pause, then intervened to resume shipments, while White House and Pentagon spokespeople defended Hegseth and affirmed full confidence.
• Bipartisan Senate leaders, including Senator Thom Tillis, have publicly questioned his management skills and suggested his confirmation was a mistake.
• Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen wrote that Hegseth’s unapproved actions have "lit the fuse" for his political downfall.