Senator Mark Kelly Brands Pete Hegseth ‘Most Incompetent Secretary of Defense We’ve Ever Had’ in Wake of Signalgate Revelations

Senator Mark Kelly reportedly fired off sharp criticism at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. He pointed to a fresh Pentagon watchdog report that allegedly exposes serious lapses in handling classified information.

The report centers on Hegseth’s use of the Signal messaging app back in March. It claims he shared operational details about Yemen strikes on a non-secure channel, potentially endangering troops.

Pete Hegseth took office earlier this year after President Trump tapped him for the role. A former Fox News host and Army veteran, he promised to shake up Pentagon bureaucracy with a focus on readiness.

Critics say his tenure has stumbled from the start with high-profile missteps. Recent clashes over Venezuela drug boat operations drew accusations of either deceit or poor oversight from fellow Republicans.

The Signalgate probe stems from leaked screenshots that surfaced in media circles. Investigators reviewed limited messages and found violations of rules meant to safeguard sensitive data.

Such breaches could invite foreign spying or operational leaks, per security experts. Hegseth’s team reportedly downplayed the issue as a one-off during internal reviews.

It is true that the inspector general’s findings confirm Hegseth broke department protocols on secure communications. The report stops short of labeling him incompetent, though it highlights risks to U.S. personnel that align with Kelly’s broader concerns.

Claims of all-time incompetence remain a matter of perspective amid ongoing scrutiny. Bipartisan voices, including Senator Rand Paul, have echoed doubts about Hegseth’s grasp of military details in separate incidents.

Media reporting for this story: 52% Left | 18% Right | 24% Center | 6% Unrated

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