Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth finds himself below fireplace once more — this time from political skeptics or foes throughout the political spectrum. However simply because the case was throughout the latest presidential transition interval, when Trump opponents resuscitated the discredited 2018 Brett M. Kavanaugh/Christine Blasey Ford playbook in an try and derail Hegseth’s nomination, the stakes now are a lot greater than Hegseth’s job safety helming the Pentagon.
When he was up for the nomination, Democrats and plenty of within the media went all-in in an try and destroy Hegseth. Just like the anti-Kavanaugh marketing campaign in September 2018, when the then-pending Supreme Court docket nominee was accused of everything from sexual assault to gang rape (and denied the claims), the latest anti-Hegseth operation accused the two-time Bronze Star-decorated veteran of recurring alcoholism, having a ruinous Invoice Clinton-esque libido and, sure, sexual assault (he has additionally denied the claims). However the concerted effort to sink Hegseth’s nomination was not actually about Hegseth. It was an try and chum the waters, display Trumpian vulnerability and sabotage the incoming administration earlier than it even took workplace. Fortunately, the cynical effort failed. And navy recruitment, maybe Hegseth’s single most vital Day 1 precedence, has already significantly benefited.
Quick-forward a bit. Hegseth was one of many primary Trump administration officers caught within the crosshairs of final month’s “Signalgate” group chat controversy, which noticed delicate navy details about the USA’ assault plans on the Yemen-based Houthi terrorists inexplicably delivered to the editor in chief of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. The contents of the leaked chat revealed a Trump administration that’s internally divided on issues of international coverage — specifically because it pertains to Iran and its regional proxies, such because the Houthis. Iran doves and anti-Israel provocateurs tendentiously seized the chance to aim to excise a handy “hawkish” scalp — whether or not that be Hegseth or nationwide safety advisor Michael Waltz. However each Hegseth and Waltz stored their jobs.
Since Signalgate, there have been two extra Hegseth-related developments. Final Sunday, the New York Times reported that Hegseth had shared delicate details about the Houthi assault plans in a second group chat that included his spouse and his brother, amongst others. Hegseth admitted to this second chat’s existence however claimed no hurt was accomplished. Around the same time, three high-ranking Division of Protection officers — Deputy Chief of Workers Darin Selnick, longtime Hegseth good friend and confidante Dan Caldwell and the chief of employees to the deputy protection secretary, Colin Carroll — had been first positioned on depart, after which fired, amid an ongoing Pentagon leak investigation.
The cashiering of Caldwell is notable due to his relationship with Hegseth. The dismissal means that Hegseth is dedicated to leaving no stone unturned and is prepared to go scorched-earth on onetime allies if want be, to regain operational management of his leak-addled Pentagon. However the response to the firings, and Caldwell’s quick conduct afterward, are extremely telling. What the Pentagon firings aftermath reveals, briefly, is identical factor final month’s authentic leaked Sign chat revealed: a Trump administration deeply divided on problems with international coverage, particularly pertaining to Iran.
Caldwell, who has labored for numerous isolationist outfits, is an Iran dove. Within the earliest days of the Biden administration, Caldwell even went as far as to praise Robert Malley — Biden’s execrable alternative for particular envoy to Iran, and beforehand the chief American negotiator for President Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Shortly after being fired from the Pentagon, Caldwell promptly went on the favored present of the nation’s best-known Iran dove, Tucker Carlson — a person who simply referred to Iran hawks as “enemies” of the USA — to inform his aspect of the story. Caldwell’s narrative was pure victimhood: He argued that his Pentagon tenure threatened “established interests,” and he dismissed leak accusations. On condition that his outdated ally Hegseth fired him and is now recommending he be prosecuted, Caldwell’s story doesn’t move the chortle check.
However all the saga is illuminating.
One should surprise why many supposed allies of President Trump would resolve to capitalize on the reporting from the New York Occasions and attempt to throw Hegseth below the bus at a susceptible second. Shouldn’t “allies” have adopted the lead of Vice President JD Vance and Trump himself and defended Hegseth to the hilt? Curt Mills of the journal the American Conservative said the quiet part out loud: “The truth is operational — Hegseth is simply less than this.”
In different phrases, the Hegseth smear marketing campaign continues, however now it takes on a distinct hue: The goal this time is all Iran hawks.
The backdrop for all this excessive drama, including yet one more twist to this elaborate puzzle, is the administration’s ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations, that are led by Center East particular envoy Steve Witkoff. These negotiations will resume this weekend in Oman. Witkoff is a billionaire actual property investor with no specific information of the Center East. In 2023, Witkoff bought his Park Lane Resort in New York Metropolis to the Qatar Funding Authority for $623 million, and maybe not coincidentally, in January 2025 he went on TV to reward Qatar for “doing God’s work.” Within the Carlson interview, Caldwell referred to Witkoff as a “godsend,” and Carlson hailed him as an “instrument of peace.” Carlson, notably, lately hosted the prime minister of Qatar and praised him for searching for to cease navy motion in opposition to Qatar’s ally and commerce accomplice, Iran.
One begins to see what is actually occurring right here.
The excellent news is that Trump himself is clear-eyed on issues pertaining to Iran. So too, it appears, is his secretary of Protection. One should thus conclude that Hegseth’s detractors are expressing frustration that the president will not be as Iran-curious as they’re. That might clarify why sure purported administration “allies” are but once more making an attempt to destroy Pete Hegseth.
Josh Hammer’s newest guide is “Israel and Civilization: The Destiny of the Jewish Nation and the Future of the West.” This text was produced in collaboration with Creators Syndicate. @josh_hammer
