The controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continues to intensify. Over the weekend, The New York Times reported that Hegseth shared sensitive details about a U.S. military strike in Yemen via a second unclassified Signal chat — this time including his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
Despite increasing bipartisan concern over the breach (not just this latest incident, but also the first leak, which was made public in March), President Trump is standing firmly behind his defense chief, calling the criticism “a waste of time.” On Monday, he dismissed an NPR report suggesting the White House was considering a replacement.
Now, some lawmakers — including Sen. Elizabeth Warren — say it’s “time for some accountability” and are demanding Hegseth be fired.
“What is it going to take for Donald Trump to fire this guy? It is so clear that he is not ready for prime time,” Warren said Monday in an exclusive interview with Katie Couric. “Look, we all knew this when he was originally nominated — that he was chosen principally because he was very, very, very, very loyal to Donald Trump. He looked good on television and gave a kind of rah-rah talk around defense. But the truth was, he didn’t have the experience, he didn’t have the background. He made it clear that he didn’t think many of those serving in the military, particularly women, belonged there or had a contribution to make. So it was never a good idea to put this guy in.”
Warren sees the Trump administration’s response to the security breach as part of a broader — and more troubling — pattern.
“Let’s face it, the Trump administration is not big on accountability,” Warren told Katie. “And I think that’s no surprise — we have a convicted felon sitting in the White House, and someone whose first act, once sworn in, was to issue pardons to 1,500 people who took part in an insurrection.”
The third-term Massachusetts senator has long voiced concerns about Hegseth’s appointment, citing his lack of executive experience and past statements questioning the role of women in the military. Notably, even Republicans like Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell voted against his appointment in January.
But Warren believes support for Hegseth within the GOP may be starting to shift. And on Monday, Rep. Don Bacon became the first Republican member of Congress to publicly suggest Hegseth should step down.
“Republicans in the House and Senate have bowed down to Donald Trump since the day he was elected,” Warren told Katie. “And now, with Hegseth, you’re starting to see the cracks appear.”
For more from Warren on Trump’s tariffs, insider trading allegations, and what she’s expecting lies ahead for the rest of 2025, watch Katie’s full interview above.
