'Hegseth’s testimony cast doubt on his fitness' for job: ex-dean of U.S. Army War College

A retired Army colonel and former dean of the U.S. Army War College is calling for the removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, arguing that his combative and factually questionable performance before congressional committees has raised serious doubts about his fitness to lead the Pentagon during a period of unprecedented global instability.
In a column for MS NOW, Jeff McCausland, now a visiting professor at Dickinson College, laid out a damning case against Hegseth, noting that the nation faces an escalating conflict with Iran, an ongoing war in Ukraine, rising Chinese threats, and a potential energy crisis — none of which can be effectively managed by an unprepared secretary of defense.
"The American people are threatened by an ongoing conflict that could easily escalate and is already having a dramatic effect on the global economy. The nation is potentially facing its greatest energy crisis in history, and Hegseth's testimony cast doubt on his fitness for the position of secretary of defense," McCausland wrote.
According to McCausland, Hegseth's testimony was "disturbing from the onset" for his "combative and argumentative style," as he immediately lashed out at lawmakers from both parties rather than engaging seriously with their concerns about a proposed 45% increase in the Pentagon budget — a massive jump that would worsen the nation's already dire fiscal crisis with national debt exceeding $39 trillion.
Hegseth's strategic analysis of the Iran war revealed even deeper problems. Last June, he claimed that Operation Midnight Hammer strikes against Iran had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. When questioned about conflicting media reports during his testimony, Hegseth attempted to have it both ways, stating that facilities had been destroyed but that Iran still possessed "nuclear ambitions."
During his testimony, Hegseth claimed the United States is "winning" the war with Iran, apparently failing to grasp that successful military strategy requires far more than "a target list," noted McCausland.
McCausland also cited Hegseth's troubling record since taking office, including his role in the "Signalgate" scandal, where his use of unclassified communications risked placing American military personnel in harm's way. He has also fired more than two dozen senior officers without justification — actions questioned by both Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
"Even the most loyal supporter of President Donald Trump must look at Hegseth's record and agree that he is in over his head," McCausland wrote. "He was selected for this critical post not for his expertise but, rather, for his fealty to Trump."
McCausland concluded that at a moment of unprecedented global danger, the nation cannot afford incompetence in Pentagon leadership.