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2026-09-18 13:36:09
[Tillis Again Urges Trump to Fire Hegses: He Must Go, Impeachment or Direct Replacement Are Both Fine] (1) North Carolina Republican Senator Tom Tillis, who voted to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegses, has again urged President Trump to fire the Pentagon chief following the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. “He must go, whether through impeachment or the easiest way—the president replacing him directly—is fine,” Tillis told reporters on Thursday. (2) Driscoll resigned in late August after clashing with Hegses over firing senior Army leadership and other reforms within the department. (3) Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massey introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegses on Tuesday, citing his handling of the war with Iran and accusing him of violating his oath to “support and defend the U.S. Constitution.” (4) When asked whether Republicans should support the articles of impeachment, Tillis told reporters, “I will let the House do what it has to do. I think my assessment of Mr. Hegses is pretty clear.” (5) Tillis, who is not seeking re-election in November, has been one of the most vocal Republican critics of Hegses in the Senate. Earlier this month, he wrote on social media platform X, “I have never seen such incompetent management of brave men and women who serve our country.” He also accused Hegses of sidelining experienced officers and said the Pentagon needs a leader who can “retain and strengthen the talent in our military, not weaken it.” (6) Tillis urged the president to find a new leader for the Pentagon. Earlier this year, he told Politico that Trump fired Hegses on his “Christmas wish list” and believed the Pentagon chief misled Trump on the situation regarding the war with Iran.
