A former dean of the U.S. Army War College and retired Army colonel has publicly called for the immediate removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing alarming concerns about his ability to lead the Pentagon amid escalating global threats. Jeff McCausland, now a visiting professor at Dickinson College, delivered a scathing critique of Hegseth’s recent congressional testimony and overall performance, declaring that the secretary’s conduct and strategic missteps jeopardize U.S. national security.
“Hegseth’s testimony cast serious doubt on his fitness for the position of secretary of defense,” McCausland wrote in a column for MS NOW, highlighting that the nation faces multiple crises — ongoing conflict with Iran, an intense war in Ukraine, growing Chinese military threats, and a looming energy crisis impacting the global economy. The stakes could not be higher.
According to McCausland, Hegseth’s testimony was “disturbing from the onset” due to his combative and argumentative style. Instead of engaging constructively with lawmakers’ questions from both parties, Hegseth immediately attacked critics, especially around a controversial proposal to increase the Pentagon budget by 45%. Such a massive budget surge would worsen America’s already alarming national debt, which now tops $39 trillion.
Beyond budget issues, McCausland pointed to Hegseth’s flawed strategic claims about the covert Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Last June, Hegseth asserted the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. When pressed during testimony about conflicting media reports, he maintained that while some facilities were destroyed, Iran still harbored “nuclear ambitions.” McCausland condemned this as a shallow understanding of military strategy, falsely claiming the U.S. is “winning” the war with Iran by merely maintaining a “target list.”
McCausland also spotlighted Hegseth’s troubled record since taking office, including his central role in the “Signalgate” scandal, where his use of unclassified communications nearly endangered American troops. Additionally, Hegseth has abruptly fired over two dozen senior military officers, moves that stunned Congress and drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
“Even the most loyal supporter of President Donald Trump must agree that Hegseth is in over his head,” McCausland argued. “He was chosen for loyalty to Trump, not for defense expertise.”
This call for Hegseth’s removal comes at a critical juncture as the U.S. faces unprecedented threats on multiple fronts. McCausland’s urgent warning underscores a growing bipartisan unease that Pentagon leadership under Hegseth could compromise national security during what experts warn is a dangerously volatile period.
As tensions rise in regions vital to U.S. interests, energy prices remain unstable, and the Pentagon’s budget debates intensify on Capitol Hill, this controversy is likely to deepen. Colorado and the nation are watching closely, aware that Pentagon leadership will directly impact U.S. military readiness and global stability in the weeks ahead.
For now, defense stakeholders and lawmakers face mounting pressure to reconsider the appointment of a leader whose performance, according to one of the military’s respected voices, falls far short of the demands of today’s global crises.
