Tillis Criticizes Hegseth Over Pentagon Video and Record
Tillis accused Hegseth of using taxpayer money for campaign-style videos and criticized what he called the secretary’s incompetence and poor advice to President Donald Trump. He also cited Hegseth’s firing of senior generals and the episode involving war plans sent by text to reporters.
The criticism followed a five-minute video Hegseth posted on Thursday. In it, he defended the Iran war, praised Trump and rejected criticism of his leadership as politically motivated. Hegseth has faced speculation about whether Trump might remove him from the job.
Tillis compared Hegseth’s video to an advertising campaign overseen by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The $220 million campaign, which included Noem on horseback at Mount Rushmore, drew scrutiny at Senate hearings. Trump later said he had not known its cost, and Noem was dismissed two days after her testimony in March.
Replies to Tillis’s post largely defended Hegseth and criticized the retiring senator. Separately, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said he planned to introduce an impeachment bill against Hegseth the following week. Democratic lawmakers have also said they intend to investigate him after gaining control of the House. The Pentagon has yet to answer a request for comment.
Hegseth’s Self-Promotion Puts Pentagon Spending and Judgment Under Scrutiny
A Pentagon video has become a flashpoint for concerns about Pete Hegseth’s judgment and the use of public money. On November 6, retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis accused the defense secretary of making campaign-style content and faulted his advice to President Donald Trump, the removal of senior generals and the texting of war plans to reporters.
Hegseth’s five-minute video, posted Thursday, defended the Iran war, praised Trump and dismissed criticism as politically motivated. The video comes amid speculation that Trump could remove him. Republican allies have reportedly discussed making Hegseth a scapegoat for voter discontent over the war, while critics say he helped persuade Trump to act without a clear plan or exit strategy.
Tillis pointed to Kristi Noem’s $220 million advertising campaign as a warning. Noem defended the spending at a Senate hearing; Trump later said he had not known its cost, and she was dismissed two days after testifying in March. The episode underscores the political risks of using public resources for self-promotional messaging.
The reaction to Tillis’s post included numerous defenses of Hegseth and attacks on Tillis. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said he planned to introduce an impeachment bill the following week, and Democrats have signaled they will investigate Hegseth after gaining control of the House. The Pentagon has yet to answer a request for comment.
Tillis Attacks Hegseth as Online Critics Rally to the Secretary
Thom Tillis used a Pentagon video to launch a broad attack on Pete Hegseth, accusing the defense secretary of wasting taxpayer money and questioning his competence, advice to President Donald Trump and handling of senior generals and war-plan texts. The retiring North Carolina Republican’s post prompted a wave of replies siding with Hegseth and taking aim at Tillis.
Hegseth’s five-minute video, posted Thursday, defended the Iran war, praised Trump and pushed back against claims that political attacks would force him out. Critics may dislike its combative style, but supporters argued online that it was an inexpensive way to communicate the administration’s message. The replies also invoked Tillis’s record as he prepares to leave office in January.
Tillis compared the video to Kristi Noem’s $220 million advertising campaign, which featured her on horseback at Mount Rushmore. Noem testified that Trump knew about the campaign, while Trump later said he did not know its cost. She was dismissed two days after the March hearing. Hegseth’s critics have also linked him to the administration’s difficulties over the Iran war, and Trump has not made a decision about his future.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said he planned to introduce an impeachment bill against Hegseth the following week; Democratic lawmakers have also signaled plans to investigate him after gaining control of the House. The Pentagon has yet to answer a request for comment.
Reported by Twitchy, The Daily Beast.
