--- title: "Pete Hegseth's Tenure as Under Secretary of Defense Comes to an End" url: https://newscentral.site/pete-hegseth-s-tenure-as-under-secretary-of-defense-comes-to-an-end/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Technology" published: 2026-11-11T22:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-12T09:58:31.829Z id: 85b27ffa-0ecf-4037-9858-f15ef5b709d2 source: "Wired https://www.wired.com/story/pete-hegseth-is-about-to-get-his-ass-kicked/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/pete-hegseth-s-tenure-as-under-secretary-of-defense-comes-to-an-end/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Pete Hegseth's Tenure as Under Secretary of Defense Comes to an End A Senate trial for Pete Hegseth is likely due to his handling of flag officer cuts and potential impeachment inquiry. Pete Hegseth's tenure as Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security is coming to an end, according to sources close to President Donald Trump. The Democrats are expected to pursue an impeachment inquiry against Hegseth, focusing on issues that Senate Republicans have also criticized him for. Hegseth has been a divisive figure in the Defense Department, accused of disregarding established procedures and processes. He has been known to unilaterally fire generals and block promotions based on questionable criteria that disproportionately affected women and people of color. His actions have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, including from Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker, who has expressed concerns over Hegseth's handling of flag officer cuts. Despite the failed impeachment effort, insiders believe it's almost certain that Pete Hegseth will face another Senate trial in the coming year. This assessment is based on private discussions among officials who have been following the developments closely. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has hinted at a possible next step, indicating that he would consult with his top members to determine their course of action. Jeffries mentioned that this conversation would be led by Adam Smith and Jamie Raskin, who are set to take on leadership roles in the Armed Services Committee and Judiciary Committee respectively. The prospect of another trial has officials from Trump's camp anticipating a wall-to-wall media coverage, regardless of whether Hegseth is ultimately removed. This prediction is based on the assumption that Democrats will still struggle to secure enough Republican support for impeachment. With Democrats set to take over the Senate next year, one possible escape route for Hegseth - having Senate majority leader John Thune dismiss all charges in a straight-line vote - has been eliminated. As several prominent Republicans depart Congress at the end of the year, Pete Hegseth's biggest detractors will be leaving him behind. Senators Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, and Bill Cassidy have all lost their seats in this midterm cycle, while Joni Ernst and Mitch McConnell are stepping down after completing their terms. Meanwhile, other Republican senators are also expressing discontent with Hegseth's performance. At least five have complained about his actions, which have inadvertently brought Democrats closer to the 67 votes needed for a conviction. These senators include Wicker, Mike Rounds, Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, and Todd Young. The impending departure of these detractors from Congress has significant implications for the Democratic impeachment inquiry. To succeed, the focus will need to be narrow and targeted towards Republican interests in order to make the case unassailable. Hegseth, however, seems determined to resist any attempts to remove him from office. He recently defended Vice President JD Vance's comments on Iran during a televised appearance at the Pentagon, describing Vance as a crucial member of the team and the war effort. A congressional investigation into Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's interactions with alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang is gaining momentum among House Republicans, setting them on a collision course with President Trump. This development comes as Trump continues to publicly defend Huang, despite growing concerns about the potential national security risks posed by their relationship. The president has repeatedly praised the CEO of the world's most valuable chip company, with no indication that he intends to distance himself from him. A recent congressional briefing on Monday left lawmakers unsatisfied and seeking clearer answers. Officials including director of national intelligence Jay Clayton and CIA director John Ratcliffe provided only broad brushstrokes of the classified intelligence surrounding Huang's interactions with Alice Huang. House Republicans are now pushing for a more thorough investigation, which would likely involve scrutinizing Huang's ties to China and the potential implications for US national security. The House Foreign Affairs Committee is prepared to take a more aggressive approach in its investigation into Megaspeed's ties to China. Chairman Brian Mast has indicated that he would be willing to issue a subpoena to compel Jensen Huang to provide a closed-door briefing if the request is ignored. Mast and two other committee chairs, Rick Crawford and John Moolenaar, had previously invited Jensen Huang to testify before their panels later this month. Their inquiry is focused on concerns raised by a memo allegedly drafted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which warned that classified intelligence suggested Alice Huang was recruited by China's Ministry of State Security. The Chinese government has denied any involvement in espionage allegations, but the congressional investigation continues amid growing scrutiny of Megaspeed and its connections to Beijing. --- Source: [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/pete-hegseth-is-about-to-get-his-ass-kicked/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/pete-hegseth-s-tenure-as-under-secretary-of-defense-comes-to-an-end/