Overview
- Sen. Thom Tillis told reporters he has "no confidence" in Hegseth, accusing the secretary of micromanaging and forcing out senior leaders and signaling other Republicans may follow his lead.
- Lawmakers say Hegseth has accelerated retirements and blocked promotions of top officers, prompting legal and morale concerns inside the Department of Defense and calls for faster congressional notification when personnel moves occur.
- Hegseth has defended the Iran campaign in Senate testimony and pressed for emergency funding tied to the conflict after costs that officials say total roughly $37.5 billion so far.
- A Drug Enforcement Administration assessment and other U.S. officials reported that recent maritime strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats have not reduced cocaine flows to the United States, raising doubts about some operational tactics.
- Some conservative senators still back Hegseth and urge stronger action against Iran, while Congress weighs new guardrails on personnel authority and members warn the public is growing weary of an unresolved Middle East conflict.