The GOP's reaction to Hegseth's issues: Open support, hidden frustration
GOP lawmakers are concerned about defying the president, but they recognize that the public display of goodwill may not last indefinitely.
TroibNews 
Many Republicans are hesitant to publicly criticize Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth despite growing concerns about alleged security breaches and mismanagement. However, some within the GOP privately express rising anxiety over the situation.
“My boss is livid,” stated a Republican staffer who requested anonymity due to restrictions on discussing the matter publicly. “He defended Hegseth the first time around to be a team player, but the second time he’s not — because sending classified info to your wife and personal lawyer is something completely different. If any staffer, lawmaker, or agency employee did this, they would be in major legal trouble.”
Despite President Donald Trump’s strong backing of Hegseth and his dismissal of negative reports as exaggerated, many Republicans have, at least outwardly, rallied around the beleaguered Defense secretary, whose initial confirmation required significant political investment from party leaders.
The underlying discontent suggests that goodwill toward Hegseth may wear thin if further incidents arise, potentially even among some of his original supporters from the contentious confirmation process and the repercussions of the earlier leaked Signal chat.
Since that time, the Pentagon has seen a top-tier staff overhaul, a critical opinion piece from a former high-ranking staff member in PMG, and new reports revealing that Hegseth communicated sensitive military operation details in a Signal chat with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
For the most part, Republican lawmakers are publicly minimizing these controversies and targeting their frustrations at the media and internal leaks.
“Pete Hegseth is a warfighter and he’s helping President Trump make sure our country is worthy of the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” said House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast in a statement from the committee's account.
However, some members of the Trump-aligned House Freedom Caucus have privately expressed worries that Hegseth’s actions are diverting attention from broader Trump initiatives.
Despite their concerns, most frustrated Republicans are hesitant to escalate their issues to the White House or voice them publicly — at least for now.
“Right now, these are unwanted distractions, and we have much, much bigger things to work on together,” commented one senior Republican congressional aide who also spoke on the condition of anonymity. “As long as we can keep our eye on the prize, these things will fade.”
The aide also noted the recent departure of Hegseth’s senior staff, including Colin Carroll, Dan Caldwell, and Darin Selnick, as a potential opportunity for a fresh start, though others interpret it as a sign of turmoil.
“If this gets fixed and there are no more unforced errors, fine,” the aide remarked. “But the goodwill isn’t unlimited.”
The cautious approach is also evident in the silence from some top defense advocates who originally supported Hegseth's confirmation. Notably, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, who played a pivotal role in Hegseth’s narrow confirmation in January, has remained quiet amid the recent controversies. Although Wicker had engaged Hegseth to advocate for increasing the defense budget, he has clashed with him as well and pushed for an inquiry into Hegseth’s use of Signal.
Thus far, a full-scale revolt within the GOP has not emerged. Only one Republican, Rep. Don Bacon — a retired one-star Air Force general from a district predominantly lost by Trump in 2024 — has indicated that Hegseth should resign.
Bacon’s position is uncommon politically and electorally; the majority of House Republicans represent districts that strongly favor Trump, making any public disagreement with him a risky endeavor.
“The vast majority of the Republican conference is sitting in seats that Trump won, and so going against the president when you're in that situation is a really fraught thing to do,” explained Erin Covey, who oversees the Cook Political Report's coverage of the House. “You're considering your electoral prospects.”
This political context has fostered a tense silence — a scenario where lawmakers might express private dismay or alarm but publicly align with party leadership.
"Everyone knows he's a joke, but he's the guy to do pushups with the troops," said one former congressional aide regarding the prevailing sentiment on Capitol Hill. "Plus, not many want to publicly say anything right now and get on Trump's bad side."
Democrats are amplifying their calls for Hegseth’s dismissal amid the turmoil and criticizing Republicans for lacking the courage to defy Trump.
“Pete Hegseth recklessly shared classified information that endangered American servicemembers. He is not qualified to be Secretary of Defense and should have never been confirmed,” asserted Rep. Jason Crow in a statement. “Republicans need to step up and say that Secretary Hegseth needs to resign or be fired.”
In the meantime, allies of the administration are working to bolster Hegseth’s position.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a key supporter during Hegseth’s challenging confirmation, expressed his endorsement and commended Hegseth's "exceptional work" as Secretary of Defense.
"I will lead the breach. I will lay down cover fire. I will take the high ground. I’ll expose myself to enemy fire to communicate,” he wrote on social media. “We must bring back integrity, focus, and put the Warfighter first inside DOD.”
Support for Hegseth spans various ideological factions within the Republican Party, including traditional defense hawk Sen. Tom Cotton and restraint-focused Sen. Eric Schmitt, who stated his "full faith and confidence" in the Defense secretary.
"The D.C. foreign policy establishment is getting desperate. They've tried to take out [Hegseth] twice," Schmitt remarked. "Everyone knows exactly what they're doing. It won't work."
Reflecting Hegseth's ongoing support within MAGA circles, Donald Trump Jr. reposted Schmitt’s comments with the addition, “100%.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
“My boss is livid,” stated a Republican staffer who requested anonymity due to restrictions on discussing the matter publicly. “He defended Hegseth the first time around to be a team player, but the second time he’s not — because sending classified info to your wife and personal lawyer is something completely different. If any staffer, lawmaker, or agency employee did this, they would be in major legal trouble.”
Despite President Donald Trump’s strong backing of Hegseth and his dismissal of negative reports as exaggerated, many Republicans have, at least outwardly, rallied around the beleaguered Defense secretary, whose initial confirmation required significant political investment from party leaders.
The underlying discontent suggests that goodwill toward Hegseth may wear thin if further incidents arise, potentially even among some of his original supporters from the contentious confirmation process and the repercussions of the earlier leaked Signal chat.
Since that time, the Pentagon has seen a top-tier staff overhaul, a critical opinion piece from a former high-ranking staff member in PMG, and new reports revealing that Hegseth communicated sensitive military operation details in a Signal chat with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
For the most part, Republican lawmakers are publicly minimizing these controversies and targeting their frustrations at the media and internal leaks.
“Pete Hegseth is a warfighter and he’s helping President Trump make sure our country is worthy of the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” said House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast in a statement from the committee's account.
However, some members of the Trump-aligned House Freedom Caucus have privately expressed worries that Hegseth’s actions are diverting attention from broader Trump initiatives.
Despite their concerns, most frustrated Republicans are hesitant to escalate their issues to the White House or voice them publicly — at least for now.
“Right now, these are unwanted distractions, and we have much, much bigger things to work on together,” commented one senior Republican congressional aide who also spoke on the condition of anonymity. “As long as we can keep our eye on the prize, these things will fade.”
The aide also noted the recent departure of Hegseth’s senior staff, including Colin Carroll, Dan Caldwell, and Darin Selnick, as a potential opportunity for a fresh start, though others interpret it as a sign of turmoil.
“If this gets fixed and there are no more unforced errors, fine,” the aide remarked. “But the goodwill isn’t unlimited.”
The cautious approach is also evident in the silence from some top defense advocates who originally supported Hegseth's confirmation. Notably, Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, who played a pivotal role in Hegseth’s narrow confirmation in January, has remained quiet amid the recent controversies. Although Wicker had engaged Hegseth to advocate for increasing the defense budget, he has clashed with him as well and pushed for an inquiry into Hegseth’s use of Signal.
Thus far, a full-scale revolt within the GOP has not emerged. Only one Republican, Rep. Don Bacon — a retired one-star Air Force general from a district predominantly lost by Trump in 2024 — has indicated that Hegseth should resign.
Bacon’s position is uncommon politically and electorally; the majority of House Republicans represent districts that strongly favor Trump, making any public disagreement with him a risky endeavor.
“The vast majority of the Republican conference is sitting in seats that Trump won, and so going against the president when you're in that situation is a really fraught thing to do,” explained Erin Covey, who oversees the Cook Political Report's coverage of the House. “You're considering your electoral prospects.”
This political context has fostered a tense silence — a scenario where lawmakers might express private dismay or alarm but publicly align with party leadership.
"Everyone knows he's a joke, but he's the guy to do pushups with the troops," said one former congressional aide regarding the prevailing sentiment on Capitol Hill. "Plus, not many want to publicly say anything right now and get on Trump's bad side."
Democrats are amplifying their calls for Hegseth’s dismissal amid the turmoil and criticizing Republicans for lacking the courage to defy Trump.
“Pete Hegseth recklessly shared classified information that endangered American servicemembers. He is not qualified to be Secretary of Defense and should have never been confirmed,” asserted Rep. Jason Crow in a statement. “Republicans need to step up and say that Secretary Hegseth needs to resign or be fired.”
In the meantime, allies of the administration are working to bolster Hegseth’s position.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a key supporter during Hegseth’s challenging confirmation, expressed his endorsement and commended Hegseth's "exceptional work" as Secretary of Defense.
"I will lead the breach. I will lay down cover fire. I will take the high ground. I’ll expose myself to enemy fire to communicate,” he wrote on social media. “We must bring back integrity, focus, and put the Warfighter first inside DOD.”
Support for Hegseth spans various ideological factions within the Republican Party, including traditional defense hawk Sen. Tom Cotton and restraint-focused Sen. Eric Schmitt, who stated his "full faith and confidence" in the Defense secretary.
"The D.C. foreign policy establishment is getting desperate. They've tried to take out [Hegseth] twice," Schmitt remarked. "Everyone knows exactly what they're doing. It won't work."
Reflecting Hegseth's ongoing support within MAGA circles, Donald Trump Jr. reposted Schmitt’s comments with the addition, “100%.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
