Hegseth and Patel Face Intensifying Scrutiny as Trump Cabinet Projects Unity

Several senior officials in President Trump’s administration are facing increasing scrutiny over both policy decisions and personal conduct, leaving a Cabinet that publicly presented unity at Tuesday’s meeting on shakier ground.

Controversies at the top

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has drawn bipartisan criticism for military strikes on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean in early September, including a second strike that reportedly targeted survivors. Lawmakers and legal experts have raised questions about the legality and proportionality of that follow-up attack.

FBI Director Kash Patel — not a Cabinet member but a central figure in the president’s inner circle — is under scrutiny for personal travel on agency aircraft and for judgment calls in high-profile investigations. A recent media account compiling the views of current and former agents described concerns about bureau leadership and Patel’s stewardship.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi have also faced criticism from both inside and outside the administration over how they implement and communicate the president’s priorities. Noem has attracted particular attention for the department’s reported spending on private travel and for staffing choices that have unsettled some allies.

Administration response and political context

The White House publicly pushed back against reports of an imminent Cabinet shake-up, and President Trump emphasized continuity and loyalty at the meeting:

“We’ve done a lot. This group has done a lot. Everyone, everybody at this table has done a fantastic job.”

Still, the meeting took place against the backdrop of slipping approval ratings for the president, recent electoral losses, and fractious debate within MAGA-aligned circles. Some Cabinet members who faced earlier questions have recovered by reaffirming loyalty and defending the administration’s agenda publicly.

Individual cases

Hegseth’s confirmation had previously weathered allegations related to past behavior, and he drew fresh criticism this year for sharing sensitive details about overseas strikes in a private messaging group. Supporters say he has the president’s backing; critics on Capitol Hill continue to press for further answers.

Patel has denied wrongdoing related to travel reports and defended his decisions amid calls from some quarters for more scrutiny. A column in the New York Post, citing active and retired agents, quoted assessments of bureau leadership that some allies say are politically motivated.

Noem remains aligned with the administration’s hardline border and deportation priorities, though questions about department spending and personnel choices have fueled internal complaints. Meanwhile, other officials such as Attorney General Bondi have previously faced criticism but retained the president’s support.

What’s next

People close to the administration say the president is reluctant to make wholesale changes to Cabinet posts in a second term so long as secretaries remain loyal and carry out his priorities. For now, the public display at the Cabinet meeting emphasized unity even as scrutiny and questions persist behind the scenes.