Hegseth’s Pentagon Tenure Faces Turmoil After Musk Briefing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pete Hegseth, the new chief of the Pentagon, is facing criticism after a proposed military briefing with Elon Musk prompted concerns from President Donald Trump.

The incident transpired in mid-March when Hegseth invited Musk for a briefing at the Pentagon. The meeting was designed to include discussions on military strategy and efficiency within the Defense Department.

However, news of the meeting reached Trump just hours before it was supposed to occur. Trump reportedly disapproved of Musk attending, citing Musk’s business interests in China and the appropriateness of discussing sensitive military strategies, specifically regarding potential conflicts with Beijing.

“This is crazy and stupid,” Trump expressed to Hegseth, indicating his displeasure with the meeting. The fallout from the episode has raised questions about Hegseth’s judgment as defense chief.

In addition to the Musk controversy, Hegseth came under scrutiny after disclosing military operational details on the messaging app Signal, resulting in a cascade of embarrassing revelations about leaks within the Pentagon.

Despite the turmoil, Trump, along with Vice President J. D. Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, continues to express support for Hegseth. White House officials insist Hegseth’s job is “100 percent safe,” emphasizing his commitment to U.S. military priorities.

On Capitol Hill, however, congressional Democrats are calling for Hegseth’s resignation amid increasing worry over his leadership. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska has also expressed concern over Hegseth’s approach.

Moreover, the Defense Department is also facing scrutiny over personnel changes, following Hegseth’s controversial elevation of former military aide Ricky Buria to a senior political role.

The upcoming series of budget hearings on Capitol Hill will serve as a critical moment for Hegseth, who will likely confront tough questions regarding the Pentagon’s direction and his handling of sensitive information.

As the fallout from these events unfolds, many at the Pentagon are uncertain about how long Trump’s support will last, given the complexities of military needs and priorities.