Sen. Tammy Duckworth Delivers a Brutal, Point-By-Point Rebuke of Defense Secretary Hegseth in Explosive Senate Hearing

In one of the most forceful exchanges on Capitol Hill this year, Senator Tammy Duckworth issued a blistering critique of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a congressional oversight hearing, accusing him of failed military leadership, costly strategic missteps, and the inappropriate use of U.S. military resources for domestic political purposes.

The confrontation quickly went viral—not because it was theatrical, but because Duckworth grounded her criticism in her experience as a decorated combat veteran and in specific events she says point to a pattern of mismanagement inside the Department of Defense.

A Costly Mission With Few Results

Duckworth began by highlighting what she called a “staggering misuse of resources” in the administration’s $1-billion military operation aimed at deterring Houthi attacks near the Red Sea.

According to her remarks, the mission:

Did not restore commercial shipping routes for U.S.-flagged vessels,

Resulted in two F-18 Hornet losses (estimated at roughly $60 million each),

Lost seven Reaper drones, with an additional cost of nearly $200 million.

She argued that the effort had failed to achieve its stated objective and instead drained critical equipment and taxpayer resources.

A Security Breach That Raised Eyebrows

Duckworth next cited an alleged security lapse: the Secretary reportedly sent classified operational information over an unsecured messaging app, in order to “show off” to his spouse—a person who does not hold a security clearance.

Duckworth framed this not as a political talking point, but as an unacceptable risk to U.S. service members.

A Hostile Workplace and Leadership Turmoil

The senator also claimed that senior Pentagon staff have been hesitant to work with the Secretary due to what she described as a “hostile command environment.”

She argued that leadership instability at the highest levels of the Defense Department ultimately degrades readiness and undermines the department’s core mission.

Confederate Base Names and a Personal Rebuttal

When base renaming came up during the hearing, Duckworth—who previously served at the former Fort Rucker—responded with a deeply personal perspective.

She said that honoring Medal of Honor recipient Mike Novosel, who saved American lives under enemy fire, far better represents the values of service than commemorating Confederate officers who fought against the United States.

Her message was unmistakable: the symbols that represent the U.S. military should reflect unity, sacrifice, and service—not rebellion against the country.

The Turning Point: Allegations of Misusing the Military for Domestic Politics

Then came the moment that shifted the entire tone of the hearing.

Duckworth accused the Secretary of supporting efforts to redirect the U.S. military toward domestic policing roles, citing executive orders that require the Pentagon to assist law enforcement agencies in combating “criminal activity” within the United States.

While she did not accuse him of illegality, she argued that:

This diverts attention away from real national security threats,

It places troops in roles for which civilian police are trained,

And it risks blurring the constitutional line between the military and domestic law enforcement.

According to Duckworth, Marines who should be preparing for high-end conflict in the Indo-Pacific should not be guarding federal buildings or completing administrative tasks for immigration agencies.

Her core argument:
America already has police. It does not need the military acting as police.

A Warning Rooted in Lived Experience

Duckworth’s critique carried particular weight because of who she is—a combat helicopter pilot and double amputee who has lived the consequences of military decision-making at the most personal level.

When she warns that leadership failures put service members at risk, it comes from someone who has felt those stakes firsthand.

A Final Rebuke

In her closing remarks, Duckworth said that if the Secretary wanted to work for the Department of Homeland Security, he could apply for that job—but the Pentagon should not be reshaped to serve political messaging.

Her message was sharp but clear:

“Let the military get back to its real job.”

Why This Hearing Matters

This wasn’t a routine partisan exchange. It reflected deeper questions now being debated in Washington:

How should the U.S. military balance foreign missions with domestic support roles?

When does logistical assistance become political overreach?

And how much political influence is too much for the Pentagon?

Duckworth’s appearance at the hearing was a reminder that oversight is not merely procedural—it is essential to maintaining a military that operates under civilian leadership without becoming a political tool.

And it signaled that the debate over these boundaries is far from over.