Trump backs Hegseth despite concerns over his leadership
- President Donald Trump expressed support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during an ABC News interview, indicating his hopes for Hegseth's success.
- Hegseth faces scrutiny for communications practices involving sensitive military information, leading to increased calls for his resignation.
- Trump acknowledged the inevitability of errors in leadership positions, reinforcing the challenges of managing national security and immigration policies.
In the United States, during an exclusive interview with ABC News, President Donald Trump conveyed confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, amidst growing concerns regarding Hegseth's leadership and handling of sensitive military information. Trump stated that he hopes Hegseth will be a great defense secretary, despite scrutiny from the media regarding Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app for transmitting sensitive military information to unapproved individuals, including his wife. Critics assert that Hegseth's actions could jeopardize national security. Trump's support came in a week when calls for Hegseth's resignation surfaced due to reports of internal chaos and lack of oversight within the Pentagon. Trump indicated he had a positive conversation with Hegseth, rejecting outright confidence by saying, "Only a liar would say, 'I have a hundred percent confidence.'" This response highlighted Trump's acknowledgment of human error in leadership roles. The discussion also encountered issues related to immigration, where Trump remarked that there is an inevitability of mistakes in handling immigration cases, which he defends with robust enforcement policies. This included unfortunate deportations of U.S. citizen children, raising questions about the handling of deportations under Trump’s administration. The president stated that his second term is different as he focuses on running the country without the pressure experienced during his first term. This interview was part of a broader ongoing scrutiny over Hegseth's leadership, following departures of staff and questions about management within the Defense Department. Critics of Hegseth describe his tenure as chaotic, citing several aides' resignations and firings amidst the growing turmoil within his office. Trump reaffirmed his support for Hegseth in a public appearance together in Michigan, indicating his backing in front of military personnel to bolster Hegseth's credibility despite the backlash he faces from some quarters.