Overview

• Hegseth’s invitation to Elon Musk for an exclusive Pentagon briefing on potential China war plans prompted Trump to label the move “crazy and stupid.”
• The acting Pentagon inspector general has opened an inquiry into Hegseth’s use of Signal to post details of a planned U.S. airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen.
• His unorthodox leadership style and the prominent role of his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, in Pentagon affairs have amplified bipartisan criticism.
• Senior Pentagon staff turnover and the firing of key officers have shaken the department’s upper ranks under Hegseth’s watch.
• Lawmakers will question Hegseth in upcoming hearings about his handling of sensitive information, Pentagon staffing disruptions, and media engagement strategies.