During a recent appearance on C-SPAN's "Ceasefire," Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) expressed grave concerns about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's tenure, suggesting it could have long-lasting detrimental effects on the nation.
Bacon, drawing on his military background, criticized Hegseth's leadership, particularly in light of the SignalGate controversy, which he believes has severely damaged the Secretary's credibility.
As reported by Breitbart, Bacon elaborated on his stance, stating, "Well, Ive been on the record already. After SignalGate, I think Ive seen enough. What I really wanted to see was if someone would take responsibility, own up to a mistake. And then when he blamed the media or the journalist for the story, it just ruined his credibility."
Bacon's disapproval extends beyond SignalGate, as he highlighted what he perceives as poor decision-making and restrictive media policies that have marginalized major news outlets like Fox, The New York Times, and The Washington Post from Pentagon operations.
Bacon further criticized the Secretary's directives that limit communication between military bases and Congress, requiring prior vetting of questions through the Pentagon. He remarked, "And then we have rules thatwe have military bases in our districts; theyre not allowed to talk to us because of his orders to them not to talk to anybody in Congress unless the actual questions have been vetted through the Pentagon first." Such policies, according to Bacon, reflect a troubling pattern of decision-making that undermines transparency and accountability.
The Congressman also voiced concerns over Hegseth's handling of international relations, particularly regarding Ukraine and NATO. He noted, "Some of these things are just lack of judgment. But theyre decisions that have been undermining our support of NATO, I think, is the most troublesome, because we have a seventy-five-year history working with NATO. Its been the pillar of our national security." Bacon emphasized that these decisions, influenced by the Under Secretary for Policy and with some White House involvement, threaten to erode trust with key allies and compromise a vital alliance.
Bacon's remarks underscore a broader apprehension about the current administration's approach to national security and foreign policy. He warned that the repercussions of these decisions could extend well beyond the current administration, potentially causing irreversible harm to the nation's strategic partnerships and defense posture.
Login