WSJ on Hegseth: Pentagon infighting for turbulent times

The Wall Street Journal charts Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s tenure leading the Pentagon with abundant internal strife and growing concerns over his ability to lead the sprawling DOD.

Since his contentious Senate confirmation, Hegseth has eschewed traditional management routines, relying instead on a small cadre of loyal advisers. Key departures—including senior aide Justin Fulcher in July—have left his office short-staffed, while his refusal to part ways with controversial acting chief of staff Ricky Buria has frustrated White House officials.

The defense secretary’s feud with top generals and abrupt dismissal of several senior aides—absent public evidence of wrongdoing—has further strained working relationships across the department. Additionally, some senators blame faulty Pentagon staffwork for failing to keep President Trump informed of a pause in weapons deliveries to Ukraine, a move later reversed by the White House.

Hegseth’s handling of the annual defense budget has also come under fire. The Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 proposal essentially flatlines military spending, failing to account for inflation and angering Republican defense hawks who expected an increase. Senate appropriators, led by Mitch McConnell, advanced their own bill that would boost funding by $21.7 billion over what the White House requested.

Despite widespread criticism—both from within the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill—President Trump remains solidly behind Hegseth, crediting him with military successes such as recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. That said, Trump notoriously and rapidly sours on “friends.”