The key facts
- The Telegraph: Pentagon officials are ready to testify against Hegseth if Democrats take the House
- Subpoenas to the secretary's inner circle and a new 'Signalgate' investigation are possible
- Three members of Congress, including one Republican, have already introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth
Preparation for a possible investigation
Current and former Pentagon officials are preparing to provide Congress with damaging information about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the event that Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections, The Telegraph reported on Wednesday. According to the outlet, Democratic lawmakers have already begun contacting potential whistleblowers as they prepare for a possible investigation into Hegseth's conduct as head of the Pentagon.
Subpoenas and 'Signalgate'
It is reported that lawmakers may subpoena members of Hegseth's inner circle and return to controversial episodes, including 'Signalgate' — the incident in which US military plans were accidentally sent to a journalist via the Signal messaging app.
Quotes from sources
'Many people will very quietly go to the chairman of the armed services committee, lay out everything they can, and leak everything they can,' The Telegraph quoted one well-informed source as saying. 'It will be awful. It will be constant humiliation,' he added. A former senior administration official said that Hegseth, through his actions, has ruined relations with former allies: 'With his arrogance, he has made many former allies willing to work with Democrats to hold him accountable for all the damage done to our military.'
Personnel changes and impeachment
Since taking office, Hegseth has fired or witnessed the departure of a number of senior military and civilian officials, including former Army Chief of Staff Randy George and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff C.Q. Brown. According to The Telegraph, some Pentagon employees consider Hegseth a 'threat to national security,' while others simply 'dislike him.' Three members of Congress, including one Republican, have already introduced articles of impeachment against the secretary. A Pentagon source told the newspaper that officials are ready to cooperate with Congress and 'give an idea' of how the department descended into 'chaos' under Hegseth.
