Pete Hegseth faces tough questions in Congress after rocky Pentagon start

On June 10, 2025, in the United States, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attended a series of congressional hearings aimed at evaluating his leadership and addressing controversies surrounding his tenure. This marked his first public appearance on Capitol Hill since being confirmed in January following a narrowly passed Senate vote. Lawmakers have sought clarification on various issues, including Hegseth's deployment of Marines to assist National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid protests and his checkered handling of sensitive military communications that inadvertently involved a journalist. Furthermore, his tenure has been highlighted by debates over significant military spending, including extensive upgrades to a Qatari jet deemed suitable for use as Air Force One and the costs associated with a forthcoming Army parade coinciding with President Trump's birthday. Hegseth’s focus in the past few months has largely been on pushing social changes within the Pentagon while being criticized for his insufficient visibility regarding more critical international security issues, particularly those involving Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Leading up to these hearings, the Pentagon has been beset by negative headlines, alleging chaos and dysfunction, forcing White House officials to intervene. This session will allow Congress to question Hegseth under oath regarding his involvement in a text chain that discussed military plans with national security officials, which included an inadvertent leak to a prominent journalist. Hegseth's first major test of leadership post-confirmation could determine his future effectiveness at the Pentagon and his relationship with both Congress and the White House.