Senator Kelly Demands Defense Secretary Hegseth's Resignation Amid Signal Chat Leak
Senator Mark Kelly has intensified his criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling for his resignation following a controversial leak of Signal messages.
In a significant escalation of political tension, Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has publicly demanded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth step down. This call comes in the wake of a leaked Signal group chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, revealing discussions about a military strike against the Houthis in Yemen.
Kelly, a former astronaut and U.S. Navy combat pilot, has been a vocal critic of Hegseth, particularly highlighting what he perceives as Hegseth’s lack of preparedness for the role. During Hegseth’s confirmation vote, Kelly expressed concerns about the risks to national security and the safety of U.S. servicemembers posed by an unqualified appointee. “This is what happens when you put unqualified people in important jobs where lives are on the line,” Kelly stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The leaked messages, which were published by Goldberg, have sparked a broader debate about the administration’s handling of sensitive military information. Hegseth responded to the controversy by praising the effectiveness and courage of U.S. troops involved in operations against the Houthis, while downplaying the significance of the leaked communications. “Nobody’s texting war plans,” Hegseth asserted, attempting to mitigate the fallout from the incident.
National Security Advisor Michael Waltz took responsibility for the mishap, admitting on “The Ingraham Angle” that he had created the group chat. “It’s embarrassing. We’re going to get to the bottom of it,” Waltz stated, acknowledging the need for a thorough investigation into the breach.
Kelly’s call for Hegseth’s resignation is echoed by other prominent Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who have also criticized the administration’s handling of the situation. Warner emphasized the high stakes involved, stating, “When the stakes are this high, incompetence is not an option.”
The controversy has reignited debates about accountability and competence within the administration, with some conservative voices arguing that Democrats apply a double standard when it comes to military mishaps. As the political fallout continues, the Department of Defense has yet to respond to the growing calls for Hegseth’s resignation.