The resignation of Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll over clashes with Pete Hegseth is starting to reverberate throughout the GOP.
Driscoll spoke with Trump while resigning and told him that Hegseth’s firing of many qualified and combat tested leaders was having a drastic impact on the military and his attempts to modernize. Another issue permeating the ranks is Whiskey Pete’s firings and blocks on dozens of promotions for generals and admirals without proper explanation.
Many believe Hegseth is purging officers who, in his opinion, do not align with his visions of the military. How is this legal in any sense? Hegseth is destroying lifelong careers with no justifiable reason.
NPR reports, “Back in April, Hegseth dismissed the chief of the Army, Gen. Randy George, without giving a reason.”
Hegseth has also singled out Black and female officers who were due for promotions, an act totally in line with his toxic masculinity and White Christian Nationalist beliefs.
At a time where the Iran war has passed the six month benchmark, having a military at odds with Hegseth is dangerous. Having a morale failure in the military could be a fatal blow to U.S. standing in the world.
Finally, some Republicans are speaking out.
Senator Mike Rounds, Republican of South Dakota, said he was “disappointed” to see Mr. Driscoll go.“I’m hearing the same rumors as everybody else — that he was frustrated with some of his top generals being released, and that’s not the first time I’ve heard that,” Mr. Rounds said. “I think that points to questions that we’re going to be asking when we get back.”
MS Now is reporting that the chairman of the Armed Services Committee Rep. Mike Rogers is not pleased either.
Asked if he was concerned there was a vacuum of leadership at the Pentagon, Rogers answered plainly: “Yes.”
“The Army secretary’s gone. The chief of staff’s gone. The person being nominated for the position is interim and we don’t know if he’s gonna be confirmed,” Rogers told MS NOW. “Those are just not things that are ideal.”
Rep. Don Bacon (R) has spoken up and told reporters that Hegseth has gone overboard on the firings with no explanations.
Rep. Rob Wittman (R) has made it very clear that anyone leading the Army must be Senate-confirmed. This acting business is detrimental.
Congressional Democrats have been calling for Hegseth’s firing for months to no avail. They understand what most of the military understands: The Secretary of Defense is destroying the military from within.
It’s not an avalanche of criticisms coming from Republicans, but the Armed Services Committee has pull with their ranks.
Most Republicans in Congress have abdicated their oversight responsibilities, but with fuel prices out of control and no end in sight for the war, finally members are using their platform for a purpose other than screaming about Socialism.
The midterms are coming…
