Pressure Mounts on Defense Secretary Hegseth After 'Double-Tap' Allegations and IG Report

Pentagon Under Fire

Pete Hegseth is confronting the most serious crisis of his tenure as U.S. defense secretary after two separate but overlapping controversies: allegations that survivors of a 2 September Caribbean boat strike were killed in a lethal follow-up attack, and an inspector general (IG) report concluding he mishandled sensitive operational information by sharing it over the Signal messaging app before Yemen airstrikes.

Allegations Over Caribbean Strikes

The Caribbean campaign—described by the administration as targeting suspected drug smugglers—has been linked to at least 87 deaths across 22 attacks since September. Video and reporting say two men who survived the initial 2 September strike appeared among wreckage when a second strike occurred, prompting renewed legal and ethical scrutiny of so-called "double-tap" tactics. Hegseth initially dismissed those reports as fabricated but later acknowledged the basic facts at a cabinet meeting, saying he acted amid the "fog of war" and that he "didn’t stick around" to observe the remainder of the mission.

"Between overseeing this campaign in the Caribbean, risking US servicemembers’ lives by sharing war plans on Signal, and so much else, it could not be more obvious that Secretary Hegseth is unfit for the role," said Senator Patty Murray after a bipartisan briefing on the incident.

Inspector General Findings on Signal Messages

The Department of Defense IG released a report finding Hegseth violated Pentagon policies by transmitting precise operational details—described as secret and not to be shared with foreign nationals—via his unclassified personal device in group Signal chats roughly two to four hours before 15 March airstrikes in Yemen. The IG said the messages included quantities and timing of manned U.S. aircraft over hostile territory and concluded the disclosures "created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots." Investigators also found he failed to preserve all related messages, a possible breach of federal record-keeping rules.

Political Fallout and Defense Department Turmoil

The controversies have prompted bipartisan criticism. Democratic leaders, including the New Democrat Coalition, accused Hegseth of recklessness and called for his resignation. Some Republicans have also voiced concern: Sen. Rand Paul suggested Hegseth either misled lawmakers or was unaware of the September strike, and Rep. Don Bacon said he had "seen enough" to question Hegseth’s leadership. Sen. Roger Wicker defended Hegseth’s authority while urging improved secure communications tools for senior officials.

Hegseth himself denied wrongdoing on social media, claiming the IG findings represented "no classified information" and declaring "total exoneration." Legal and national security experts, however, say the level of operational detail described in the IG report would ordinarily be classified because of the risk it poses to missions and personnel.

Questions About Strategy and Authorization

Critics question the strategic logic of using military force in the Caribbean to counter fentanyl trafficking, which most analysts say primarily enters the United States over land from Mexico. Experienced counter-narcotics and national security officials have argued military resources would be better focused on primary trafficking routes. The administration has asserted the campaign targets vessels tied to designated criminal or terrorist groups, though public evidence for those designations has not been released.

The chain of command for the disputed follow-up strike remains unclear. The White House initially suggested Adm. Frank Bradley authorized a defensive strike; Hegseth later said Bradley acted with his authorization but had authority to act independently. The administration says former President Trump continues to support Hegseth, and Republican control of the Senate reduces the likelihood of immediate removal.

Internal Department Issues

Hegseth’s tenure has also been marked by internal discord at the Pentagon. Officials describe leaks among aides, a fraught workplace atmosphere, and a controversial leak investigation that led to the removal of three senior advisers—an episode that raised questions about Hegseth’s judgment and management style.

What Comes Next

The combination of legal questions, national-security concerns and bipartisan unease leaves Hegseth’s future uncertain. While many lawmakers are calling for accountability, his political backing in the White House and Senate suggests immediate consequences are unlikely. Investigations and oversight hearings may continue as Congress and independent watchdogs seek clearer answers about the strikes, the Signal disclosures, and internal Pentagon practices.