Republican Senator Calls On Trump to Replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives to meet Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles during an honor cordon welcome ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sept.

2, 2026. —Kent Nishimura—AFP/Getty Images Republican Sen.

Thom Tillis is urging President Donald Trump to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth because of what he described as “inept management.” The North Carolina lawmaker’s call to oust Hegseth comes after Dan Driscoll resigned from his role as Army Secretary on Monday, amid tension that had been reportedly broiling between Driscoll and Hegseth for months.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Tillis thanked Driscoll “for his leadership to our Army and service to our country,” before going on to slam Hegseth.

“If we had a @SecWar who maintained the same priorities and forward-thinking, he would be fighting to retain talented leaders like Dan and the many flag officers he has forced into retirement,” Tillis said.

“Instead, he is creating a leadership void at the top of our military ranks.” Tillis, who previously served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, included in his post a link to a CBS News article that lists about 20 military and civilian leaders who have been ousted or stepped down since Hegseth was confirmed to lead the Department of Defense, including Driscoll.

Also among them is Gen.

Randy George, who was serving as the Army Chief of Staff until Hegseth requested that he retire , effective immediately, in the spring.

Tillis voted to confirm Hegseth as Defense Secretary last year, though he initially had reservations about him.

Amid mounting controversy surrounding Hegseth’s nomination, three other Republicans broke from party ranks and voted against it, forcing Vice President J.D.

Vance to be the tiebreaking vote.

It was the smallest margin for the confirmation of a nominee to lead the Defense Department since the Secretary role was first formed in 1947, Senate records indicate.

Despite Tillis’ crucial vote in the confirmation, he has since publicly criticized the Defense Secretary.

The Republican Senator told POLITICO in May that he thought that “Hegseth misinformed [the President] on the challenges” related to a war in Iran, adding that “I’m glad the president did what he did in Iran.