Washington, D.C. – Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a former Air Force general and swing-district lawmaker, intensified his criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, demanding his resignation or dismissal during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press NOW with Ryan Nobles.
Bacon, who recently announced he will not seek re-election, cited Hegseth’s alleged role in suspending weapons transfers to Ukraine without President Donald Trump’s knowledge as further evidence of his unfitness for office.
The call follows Bacon’s earlier condemnation of Hegseth over the “Signalgate” scandal, highlighting growing tensions within the Republican Party over Trump’s administration as the 2026 midterms loom.
Pattern of Poor Judgment
Bacon’s remarks centered on two incidents that have eroded confidence in Hegseth’s leadership.
The first, dubbed “Signalgate,” involved the revelation earlier in 2025 that highly sensitive military attack plans were shared in unsecured Signal group chats, including Hegseth’s family and an Atlantic journalist.
Bacon criticized Hegseth’s handling of the scandal, noting, “He should have taken responsibility, admitted he made a mistake, but instead he doubled down, blamed the journalists, and denied there was a problem with putting sensitive data on an unclassified system.” Bacon called for Hegseth’s resignation at the time, arguing that the mishandling of classified information compromised national security.
The latest controversy involves Hegseth’s alleged decision to pause weapons shipments to Ukraine, which had been authorized by Congress and signed into law by the previous administration. According to Bacon, Hegseth acted without notifying Trump, forcing the president to address the issue publicly on the world stage.
“It embarrassed the president,” Bacon told Nobles. “He had to explain why these weapons were shut off, and he didn’t know!” The pause was later overturned, but Bacon argued that Hegseth’s unilateral action demonstrated a lack of judgment unfit for the Pentagon’s top role. “The Secretary of Defense should show better judgment here,” he said.
Bacon’s Shifting Stance
Bacon, representing Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, has generally supported Trump’s legislative priorities, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed the House on July 3, 2025, with his vote.
However, his increasing criticism of Trump’s management, particularly regarding Hegseth, signals a rift with the administration. Bacon’s decision not to run for re-election, announced recently, has freed him to speak more candidly, positioning him as a rare Republican voice challenging Trump’s inner circle. His comments come amid other GOP tensions, such as the backlash against Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Jeffrey Epstein files.
On X, reactions to Bacon’s stance were mixed. “Finally, a Republican with the guts to call out Hegseth’s incompetence,” one user posted. Another countered, “Bacon’s just posturing before he bails. He’s no hero for turning on Trump now.” The debate reflects broader divisions within the GOP, as moderates like Bacon move through pressure from both MAGA loyalists and swing-district voters.
Why It Matters
Hegseth’s tenure as Defense Secretary has been fraught with controversy, with “Signalgate” and the Ukraine weapons pause adding to scrutiny of Trump’s second-term appointments.
The Ukraine incident, in particular, has raised questions about coordination within the administration, especially as Trump navigates foreign policy challenges amid domestic battles over Medicaid cuts, birthright citizenship, and NIH grant disputes.
The unauthorized pause in weapons transfers, which defied congressional intent, has also drawn criticism from national security experts, who warn it could undermine U.S. credibility abroad.
Bacon’s call for Hegseth’s removal aligns with his broader concerns about accountability in the administration. As a retired Air Force general, Bacon emphasized the importance of responsible leadership in the Pentagon, arguing that Hegseth’s actions have repeatedly fallen short. “When he makes decisions behind the president’s back, it’s not just a mistake—it’s a failure of duty,” he said.
GOP lawmakers Standing With Bacon
Other GOP lawmakers have begun breaking ranks to call for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s removal amid mounting controversies surrounding his leadership.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who once supported Hegseth’s confirmation, now says he regrets that vote, describing Hegseth as “out of his depth” and calling his handling of Pentagon operations “amateurish.”
More so, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has also signaled her frustration, stating, “Think about what we would do if Biden were president and this came out… we would raise the roof”—a clear implication that Hegseth’s actions would spark bipartisan outrage under different circumstances. The growing discontent signals a potential fracture in GOP support for the embattled defense chief.
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What’s Next?
Hegseth’s future remains uncertain, as Trump has not publicly addressed Bacon’s demands. The president’s history of dismissing disloyal or underperforming officials, as seen with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2018, suggests Hegseth could face pressure if criticism mounts.
However, Trump’s recent praise for other loyalists, like FBI Director Kash Patel, indicates he may resist calls to oust Hegseth, a key ally.
The controversy could influence Republican dynamics as the 2026 midterms approach, with Bacon’s exit and outspokenness highlighting vulnerabilities in swing districts.
For now, the “Signalgate” and Ukraine scandals have cast a shadow over Hegseth’s leadership, fueling debates about competence and trust in Trump’s administration.
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