Pete Hegseth Has No Business Near the Pentagon

Pete Hegseth is not just a right-wing media personality—he’s a leading voice in the effort to politicize the military, undermine democratic norms, and now, amid the growing SignalGate scandal, he’s proving exactly why he should be nowhere near the Department of Defense.

Yet, his name continues to surface in conversations about high-level appointments—especially in a future Trump administration—as a potential pick for Secretary of Defense.

Let’s be clear: that should never happen. And if it does, Hegseth must resign—or be removed immediately.

1. SignalGate Raises Alarms About Secrecy and Influence

The revelations from SignalGate—a growing scandal involving encrypted communications between conservative media figures and political operatives—show Hegseth possibly using private channels to shape defense narratives, influence public opinion, and coordinate messaging outside of official oversight.

This isn’t just bad optics. It’s a national security red flag.

When someone uses encrypted backchannels to evade accountability while angling for one of the most powerful positions in government, the country deserves answers. And consequences.

2. He Amplifies Partisan Propaganda, Not Strategy

Hegseth positions himself as a military expert, but his qualifications are overshadowed by years of Fox News soundbites, conspiracy theories, and political pandering. He cheers on culture wars, downplays threats like white nationalism, and defends insurrectionists—all while posturing as a patriot.

Running the Pentagon requires measured, strategic thinking—not cable-ready outrage and blind loyalty to one man.

3. He Undermines Civilian Control of the Military

Hegseth has openly criticized military leaders who don’t conform to his ideology. He dismisses checks and balances. He praises authoritarian strongmen abroad and pushes for the military to be used as a political weapon at home.

That's not leadership. It's a soft coup in slow motion.

Civilian control of the military only works when civilians respect the Constitution. Hegseth clearly doesn’t.

4. National Security Is Not a Loyalty Test

The Secretary of Defense doesn’t answer to cable ratings or Twitter followers—they answer to the American people. They’re tasked with global stability, nuclear command, and the lives of over a million service members.

Hegseth has done nothing to show he can be trusted with any of that.

If he's willing to use encrypted messaging to evade oversight now, what happens when he has access to top-secret briefings and a global arsenal?

Pete Hegseth’s involvement in SignalGate, his long record of disinformation, and his open disdain for military neutrality disqualify him from any leadership role in the Department of Defense.

If he is appointed, he must resign.
If he refuses, he must be removed.

Because this isn’t about politics—it’s about the survival of democratic institutions, civilian oversight, and national security itself.