Thom Tillis questions Pete Hegseth's capability as defense secretary

In early January 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny following multiple scandals since taking office, impacting his credibility and management role. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, expressed concerns about Hegseth's ability to manage the large and complex Department of Defense, labeling him as 'out of his depth' in overseeing military operations. Tillis, who initially supported Hegseth’s confirmation despite allegations of personal misconduct, indicated that recent events have caused him to reassess his decision. He specifically pointed to incidents like the Signal chat scandal, where Hegseth mistakenly included a journalist in sensitive discussions, and the temporary halt of weapon shipments to Ukraine, which President Trump later reversed. These actions, Tillis described as 'amateurish,' highlighting Hegseth's lack of proper management skills. Despite having voted in favor of Hegseth during the confirmation process, Tillis now suggests he might not support him again based on current information, though he maintains that his initial vote was based on the facts available at the time. He has indicated that the Senate Armed Services Committee may have been too lenient in assessing Hegseth’s ability to lead the Pentagon adequately. The political context is also pertinent, as Tillis announced that he would not seek reelection. This decision may embolden him to voice his criticisms of Hegseth and the Trump administration more freely. In a response to Tillis’s comments, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson commented on the senator's impending retirement, showing a certain level of detachment from the criticisms being directed at Hegseth’s leadership abilities.