Pentagon downplays first major public split between Trump and Hegseth

Pentagon downplays first major public split between Trump and Hegseth Hegseth's television instincts, perhaps one of the tools he relies on most in his Pentagon role, appeared to have failed him - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in The Pentagon sought to play down the first significant public split between President Donald Trump and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, this week after the US president blocked plans to livestream the Army's firing-squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. "The Secretary supports the President's decision, and they are completely aligned," said Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson. The two men spoke before Trump announced his decision on Truth Social, the Pentagon said. Hegseth had announced the livestream plan last week, but Trump pulled the plug on it on Thursday. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump had been unaware of the plan to broadcast the execution. The proposal would have been without precedent. According to death penalty experts, no government execution in the US has ever been broadcast or livestreamed. And the military has not put anyone to death by firing squad since 1945. Hegseth had argued that making the event public would help show "there's serious consequences for these types of things." Trump appeared to accept that argument at first, saying on Thursday livestreaming it "might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan." But Trump, a former reality television star, ultimately decided a public show went too far. "Many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device. He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed," Trump wrote. Objections to the plan had come from many fellow Republicans, religious leaders and international observers. Defense officials who spoke to Reuters on Thursday expressed relief that the livestreaming would not go forward. Hegseth’s TV instincts fail him Earlier this week, taking to the stage at an Army event, the US defense secretary remarked how much it looked like a TV set. The former Fox News host said that put him at ease, even as the first in a series of anti-war protesters shouted at him. Hegseth's television instincts, perhaps one of the tools he relies on most in his Pentagon role, appeared to have failed him and speculation has mounted in Washington over whether Trump might see value in bringing new management to the Pentagon after November's midterm elections. Defense secretaries often cycle out after a couple of years in the job. Republican strategists said it was too soon to say whether Trump's decision to overrule Hegseth would affect their relationship. That relationship has remained strong despite mounting public opposition to the war in Iran. "They've been kind of very closely knit and I don't know whether it means anything at all," Republican strategist Douglas Heye said. Charlie Black, a veteran Republican strategist, said it would likely blow over. "It's a wild thing but nobody will remember it next week," Black said, adding Trump "did the right thing." Trump regularly extols Hegseth publicly, and has given the former Army National Guard soldier significant leeway as he seeks to reshape the Pentagon, including by firing its most senior officers. But after narrowly winning Senate confirmation, Hegseth has failed to win over many Republicans who voiced concerns over his qualifications for the job. Some Republican lawmakers and congressional aides have expressed worries over his expected plans to draw down forces in Europe. One Republican lawmaker filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth last month, accusing him of abusing his office by executing an order for hostilities against Iran without approval by Congress. Representative Thomas Massie's measure is not expected to succeed. However, Democrats could look to move forward with impeachment proceedings if they win control of the House in the upcoming elections in November. At times, the conflict between Hegseth and members of Congress has become personal. Last year, Hegseth sought to prosecute Democratic Senator Mark Kelly after he and five other Democrats in Congress with backgrounds in the military and intelligence community urged US troops to refuse illegal orders. Kelly on Thursday introduced a bill that would prohibit livestreamed executions. "Livestreaming an execution is un-American and dangerous. It is the kind of thing we see with regimes like Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan," Kelly said in a statement. Hasan was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting dead 13 people and wounding 32 others in a medical facility at the vast Fort Hood base in 2009. Now 56, he requires a wheelchair, having been shot by police during his arrest. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments