Schumer: Pentagon report shows defense secretary compromised US troops

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said a newly released Pentagon inspector general report clearly shows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endangered American troops, calling him unfit for office, despite the Pentagon’s claims that the review “totally exonerates” him.

Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, Schumer described the conclusions as “damning,” arguing that Hegseth’s “lack of judgment put the lives of our troops in danger.” He accused Hegseth of deflecting blame and refusing accountability.

The review centers on “Signalgate,” the controversy involving allegations that Hegseth mishandled sensitive military information on a Signal group chat ahead of U.S. strikes on Yemen’s Houthi group in March. Hegseth and Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell insist that no classified material was shared.

Schumer rejected that claim, asserting the report reflects a “growing pattern” of misconduct. He linked it to bipartisan concerns surrounding a deadly September 2 strike in the Caribbean, where survivors of an alleged smuggling vessel were reportedly killed following a verbal order from Hegseth.

“Pete Hegseth has a clear MO — he puts himself first at the expense of our men and women in uniform, and when he screws up, he tries to hide the truth,” Schumer said, adding that his ten months in office revealed “clear defects” that disqualify him from serving as defense secretary.

The sharp contrast in interpretations of the report underscores deep political divisions surrounding Hegseth’s leadership and is expected to intensify congressional scrutiny over his stewardship of the Pentagon.