Embattled Defense Sec Hegseth: Fitness Feats, Classified Leaks, and Calls to Resign

Pete Hegseth BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Pete Hegseth has been dominating headlines over the past several days and not all the news has painted a flattering picture for the current Defense Secretary. Politically, he is embroiled in a storm after the Democrats Abroad Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus issued a scathing statement on August 26 demanding his immediate resignation. The Caucus accused him of having "deliberately dismantled" key federal functions, mismanaging his Cabinet role, and failing to respect congressional oversight. His directive to remove diversity-related books on military bases was singled out as censorship, and critics say his lack of experience and controversial decisions—like downsizing programs supporting military and overseas voters—show he’s deeply unqualified for the job. Insiders note these moves have sparked outrage not just in advocacy circles but also among members of his own departments.

On the fitness front, Pete managed a more lighthearted public moment by squaring off against Health Secretary RFK Jr. for the so-called "Pete and Bobby challenge": a physical test involving 50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups timed under five minutes, covered by Fox News Digital. Although Hegseth clocked in at about 5 minutes and 25 seconds, he still edged out Kennedy, whose “Make America Healthy Again” movement aligns with Hegseth’s push for military fitness standards. Both men used the challenge to rally Americans around ditching processed foods and getting active, and they called for fellow Cabinet member Sean Duffy to join the competition next.

But the controversies have kept coming. Pentagon investigators are now delving into whether Hegseth personally authored what could be classified text messages detailing sensitive military plans, raising security concerns according to AOL News. The White House, meanwhile, has gone into damage control, reaffirming Trump's support for Hegseth after reports emerged that he revealed information related to a military strike against the Houthis in Yemen.

Adding legal woes, several outlets led with the headline that a federal judge ruled President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal law by deploying the US military for an immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, escalating scrutiny around his leadership and potentially impacting his long-term political prospects.

Social media has been active with criticism and memes lampooning both his fitness antics and perceived leadership missteps, and Stephen Colbert returned to Hegseth as a punchline when lampooning Trump’s cabinet on CBS’s Late Show, calling out Hegseth’s “thin dossier of qualifications” and alluding to past conduct scandals.

Speculation remains about Hegseth’s next career move, fueled by reports that he’s exploring a political run in his adopted home state. Whether these controversies will unravel his Cabinet tenure or simply add to his unfinished chapter is something even Washington insiders aren’t wagering on yet.

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