"Pete Hegseth barely squeaked through a grueling Senate confirmation process to become secretary of defense earlier this year, facing lawmakers wary of the Fox News Channel host and skeptical of his capacity, temperament and fitness for the job. Just three months later, he quickly became embroiled in Signalgate as he and other top U.S. officials used the popular Signal messaging application to discuss pending military strikes in Yemen. A Pentagon Inspector General's report on the matter was delivered to lawmakers Wednesday."
"And now, in what may be his most career-defining moment yet, Hegseth is confronting questions about the use of military force and demands he release the videotapes after a special operations team reportedly attacked survivors of a strike on an alleged drug boat off the coast of Venezuela. Some lawmakers and legal experts say the second strike would have violated the laws of armed conflict."
"Since working to become defense secretary, Hegseth has vowed to bring a "warrior culture" to the U.S. government's most powerful and expensive department, from rebranding it as the Department of War to essentially discarding the rules that govern how soldiers conduct themselves when lives are on the line."
Pete Hegseth narrowly won Senate confirmation to lead the Defense Department while facing skepticism over his fitness and temperament. He became embroiled in Signalgate after using the Signal app with other officials to discuss planned strikes in Yemen, prompting a Pentagon Inspector General report. Lawmakers and legal experts are scrutinizing a reported special operations follow-up strike that allegedly attacked survivors of a drug boat off Venezuela, with some saying the second strike may have violated the laws of armed conflict. Congressional committees have launched investigations and some Democratic senators are calling for his resignation. Hegseth has promoted a 'warrior culture' and cited the 'fog of war' in defense.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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