00:00 04-05-2026

Hegseth Tightens Grip on Pentagon, WP Reports

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Washington Post says Pete Hegseth tightened control over Pentagon weapons programs, staffing and communications despite internal criticism.

According to The Washington Post, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has managed to tighten his grip on the Pentagon despite a series of crises during his first year in office.

Citing sources, the newspaper reported that Hegseth consolidated influence inside the defense department, gaining control over weapons programs, personnel decisions and the military’s public communications.

The publication said authority had been taken away from service members and shifted entirely to political appointees.

As an example, The Washington Post pointed to the dismissal of several senior Pentagon officials, including Navy Secretary John Phelan. According to the paper’s sources, Phelan was unhappy that Hegseth and his deputy Steve Feinberg had taken control of decisions related to the submarine fleet and shipbuilding.

The newspaper also noted that Hegseth was seen as vulnerable at the start of his tenure. His position was badly shaken by the «Signalgate» scandal, linked to the leak of secret military plans through an unsecured chat.

However, Hegseth not only kept his post but strengthened his standing. At the same time, dissatisfaction with his management style remains inside the US president’s administration. According to the report, the Pentagon chief is often criticized for being confrontational, active on social media, making sharp public statements and carrying out personnel purges.