FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told Fox News Digital that the Department of War should not be led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, criticizing his leadership and questioning his judgment.
Bacon, who questioned Hegseth’s “moral compass,” made his remarks after Democrats reclaimed control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, raising the possibility of impeachment proceedings against members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet in the 120th Congress.
“I don’t think he was a good choice to begin with,” Bacon told Fox News Digital. “I wouldn’t have voted to confirm him.”
Bacon, a 30-year Air Force veteran, argued that Hegseth’s personal conduct would have resulted in disciplinary action for other members of the military.
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“Anybody that got caught having affairs would’ve gotten fired,” Bacon said before pointing to the controversy surrounding the administration’s use of the Signal messaging app to discuss sensitive military operations.
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“He didn’t take any responsibility for it, though it was his fault. And things like that bother folks who’ve served a lifetime in the military, have a moral compass and take responsibility,” Bacon continued.
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Bacon also suggested that Hegseth lacks substantial support among lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where a Democratic-controlled House could pursue impeachment proceedings against the war secretary.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell responded to Bacon’s remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying Hegseth “will not back down” or “be deterred by politicians seeking to score partisan points or launch phony investigations where no wrongdoing exists.”
Without mentioning Bacon by name, Parnell added that Hegseth “will continue to stand and fight every single day to support and defend the Constitution, lead our troops, and protect America” on behalf of President Donald Trump, “despite threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats — and Secretary Hegseth is 100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump’s term in office.”
Toward the end of the 119th Congress, a group of Democrats backed legislation introduced by Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., seeking to impeach Hegseth.
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“Hegseth doesn’t have a lot of friends on the Hill,” Bacon said while discussing whether Trump should replace the war secretary before possible impeachment proceedings. “I do think we could have more qualified leaders.”
Trump told reporters Wednesday that he intends to keep Hegseth in his Cabinet, despite speculation about the war secretary’s future.
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The president’s comments came after other Cabinet departures during his second term, including former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who were asked to resign.
During his interview with Fox News Digital, Bacon addressed the future of the Republican Party following its midterm defeat, arguing that the GOP must distance itself from Trump to regain congressional majorities, win governorships and remain competitive in the 2028 presidential election.
Bacon did not dismiss the idea of running for president himself when asked by Fox News Digital, and has previously said in podcast interviews that he would “love” to.
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“I do think we should have a big debate in our party,” Bacon said, leaving open the possibility of playing a role in the party’s future leadership. “I’d like to fight for the soul of our party. And I want to be a part of that discussion, that debate.”
“If somebody steps up and wants to take on the little more of the Reagan mantle and the sort of things I think need to get done to the country,” the retired one-star Air Force general continued. “I’m glad to support them. But somebody’s got to be speaking out against illegal immigration, cost of healthcare, and national security policy, and they got to be able, we’ll work across the aisle to get things done. You can’t solve this from all your Democrats only.”
Bacon argued that Republicans should return to the principles championed by former President Ronald Reagan, including “the basic principles of economic freedom, free markets and free trade, peace through strength, stand up to the bully, which in this case, is Russia.”
He also emphasized the importance of “federalism and the pro-life movement” as priorities for the party moving forward.
The Nebraska Republican criticized Trump’s approach to traditional U.S. allies, arguing that the administration has been “very bad towards our allies,” including Canada and Greenland, amid disputes over tariffs and the president’s threats involving Greenland.
Bacon suggested that Trump’s foreign policy decisions and military involvement overseas contributed to Republican losses in down-ballot races across the country.
“They only got beat because they had an R next to their name,” Bacon said, accusing congressional Republicans of having “rubber-stamped” the president’s agenda since he returned to the White House for a second term.