The defence secretary has faced criticism for the ‘double tap’ strike on a Venezuelan boat and for his use of a Signal chat to post details about another strike in Yemen
While the president has stood by Mr Hegseth in public, he has shown less enthusiasm behind closed doors, The Atlantic reported, citing several unnamed sources familiar with White House discussions.
“[Mr Trump] is starting to tire of the scandals surrounding Hegseth and does not push back when others suggest Hegseth is not up for the job, an outside adviser to the White House and a former senior administration official told us,” The Atlantic reported. An unnamed senior administration told the outlet it’s been a “rough week for Pete”.
Spokespeople for the White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The president’s apparent dissatisfaction comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny for authorising a second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean on September 2. The follow-up strike – referred to by some as a “double tap” – was launched after two survivors were seen clinging to the wrecked vessel.
On Thursday, Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, the Navy Seal officer who leads US Special Operations Command, showed lawmakers footage of the lethal strikes and answered questions.
Mr Hegseth said the attack took place in “the fog of war” and said Bradley acted “within his authority and the law”.
Beyond the double tap controversy, Mr Hegseth has drawn broader criticism for his campaign targeting suspected traffickers, which has resulted in at least 86 deaths. Some lawmakers and human rights organisations have labelled the attacks illegal, alleging they are being used to put pressure on Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.
Republicans, however, have largely backed the strikes, arguing they help stem the flow of illicit drugs into the US.
Last week, the defence department’s inspector general also released the findings from an investigation into Mr Hegseth’s use of a Signal chat to post details about a strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The report concluded that the former Fox News anchor’s actions could have put US personnel in harm’s way.
Pete Hegseth discusses the Signal chat controversy on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
In a discussion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Saturday, Mr Hegseth said he doesn’t “live with any regrets” over the his use of Signal.
Mr Trump has publicly backed the Pentagon chief, telling reporters on Tuesday that “Pete is doing a great job”. However, behind closed doors, things could be different, The Atlantic claims.
“Trump has not been happy that a number of Republicans on Capitol Hill are using Hegseth’s record as a reason to stand up to the White House, a further sign of cracks in what had until recently been unwavering GOP fealty to Trump,” the outlet said.
On Friday, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul called on Mr Hegseth to testify under oath about the boat strikes.
“I think that Congress, if they had any kind of gumption at all, would not be allowing this administration to summarily execute people that are suspected of a crime,” he said.
Still, a number of Republicans have stood by Mr Hegseth and have argued the Pentagon is operating fine under his leadership. A senior administration official told The Atlantic that the president cannot afford to fire Mr Hegseth and endure another Senate confirmation battle.
“The people around the president have always sensed that Hegseth isn’t really qualified for the job,” this official said. “But he’s redeemed himself in the eyes of the president because he is truly devoted to Trump. That goes a long way.”