Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Tillis Urges Trump to Fire Hegseth Over Pentagon Management
Senator Thom Tillis wants President Trump to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Tillis says Hegseth has not managed the military well.
His criticism increased after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned.
Driscoll reportedly disagreed with Hegseth about removing senior military leaders.
Tillis said Hegseth pushed out or removed several important generals and admirals.
He also accused Hegseth of focusing on culture-war issues instead of defense work.
Tillis had previously voted to confirm Hegseth as defense secretary.
Tillis praised Driscoll and his work to help the Army use unmanned aircraft more quickly.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis urged President Trump to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Tillis criticized Hegseth after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned following disagreements over senior military leadership.
Tillis called Hegseth’s management of the Defense Department inept and accused him of weakening its senior leadership.
Tillis previously cast a pivotal vote supporting Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary.
Tillis praised Driscoll’s Army leadership and cited his work on accelerating unmanned aircraft deployment.
- Who
- Senator Thom Tillis is calling on President Donald Trump to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has also resigned.
- What
- Tillis is seeking a new Pentagon leader and criticizing Hegseth’s management and treatment of senior military officials.
- When
- The criticism intensified after Driscoll’s resignation; the article does not provide specific dates.
- Where
- The dispute concerns leadership of the Pentagon and the United States military.
- Why
- Tillis says Hegseth has shown inept management, weakened senior military leadership, and prioritized culture-war issues over national defense.
- Senator
- Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina
- Target of criticism
- Pete Hegseth, secretary of defense
- Recent development
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after disagreements with Hegseth
- Previous position
- Tillis previously voted to support Hegseth’s confirmation
- Military leaders cited
- Chris Donahue, CQ Brown Jr., Lisa Franchetti, David Allvin, and James Mingus
- Army initiative
- Driscoll worked with Gen. Randy George on an initiative involving unmanned aircraft systems
- Requested action
- Tillis urged Trump to select a new Pentagon chief