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Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina on Wednesday ripped Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the pause of weapons shipments to Ukraine. Newsweek has reached out to the Department of Defense (DOD) via email on Wednesday evening for comment. Why It Matters Hegseth faced a tumultuous confirmation process after Trump's inauguration in January and his time leading the Pentagon has since been spotted with controversy.
The defense secretary and other top Trump Cabinet officials faced scrutiny after engaging in a group chat on Signal—an encrypted messaging app—that included a journalist, while the Trump officials were discussing war plans. The handling of the sensitive military conversation among the president's brass also triggered widespread U.S. security concerns. Hegseth had repeatedly rebuked the initial report from Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, saying in part, "Nobody was texting war plans."
What To Know Tillis called the weapons decision "amateurish" to CNN's Jake Tapper in his first sit-down interview since announcing his Senate retirement. "That's from somebody who doesn't understand large organization dynamics," Tillis said, adding he does not regret voting to confirm Hegseth in January with the information he had at the time. "With the passing of time, I think it's clear he's out of his depth as a manager of a large, complex organization," the senator said.
"I don't think his probationary period has been very positive," Tillis added. According to the Associated Press (AP), Hegseth directed the move to pause certain weapons shipments to Ukraine in order to assess stockpiles. Trump on Monday reaffirmed that the White House would continue sending weapons to the war-torn nation.
"They have to be able to defend themselves. They're getting hit very hard now," Trump said. The president has also sidestepped direct questions earlier in the week on who in his administration ordered the pause, telling reporters, "I don't know.
Why don't you tell me?" The AP reports, citing three people familiar with the matter, that the president was frustrated with DOD officials over the announcement, saying it was not properly organized in conjunction with the White House. The initial pause of weapons comes at a critically vulnerable moment for Ukraine as the country faces heightened attacks from Russia.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina walks to the chamber as senators arrive for votes and policy meetings at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 17. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina walks to the chamber as senators arrive for votes and policy meetings at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 17. Associated Press What People Are Saying Tillis, in a January statement on voting to confirm Hegseth as defense secretary: "From the beginning, I have been clear about my position: if President Trump's nominees were reported favorably out of the relevant committees, I would support their confirmation on the Senate floor absent new material information about their qualifications.
Once Pete Hegseth's nomination was sent to the floor by my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I conducted my own due diligence, including asking tough questions of Pete and I appreciated his candor and openness in answering them." Continuing, Tillis added: "Pete has a unique perspective as a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and is unquestionably passionate about modernizing our military and supporting the brave patriots like himself who serve our nation. I will support his confirmation and look forward to working with him to rebuild our military and advance President Trump's peace through strength agenda."
Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu of California on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "Hegseth. Resign. Now."
DOD Rapid Response on X, responding to Lieu Wednesday: "Under Secretary Hegseth, • HISTORIC recruiting in ALL BRANCHES. • Generational investment in the Golden Dome. • Established a FOURTH National Defense Area.
• Showed the world the capabilities of the United States Military through Operation Midnight Hammer. He isn't going anywhere, congressman." Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, in a statement on Tuesday: "Today, the strategic incoherence of underfunding our military and restricting lethal assistance to partners like Ukraine is measured in the avoidable erosion of American credibility with allies and the mounting deaths of innocents.
"I'm glad that President Trump wants to resume deliveries of lethal capabilities to Ukraine. America's policy of providing lethal support to Ukraine began during his first term, and likely helped deter earlier Russian escalation," the lawmaker said. Concluding: "This time, the President will need to reject calls from the isolationists and restrainers within his Administration to limit these deliveries to defensive weapons.
And he should disregard those at DoD who invoke munitions shortages to block aid while refusing to invest seriously in expanding munitions production. The self-indulgent policymaking of restrainers – from Ukraine to AUKUS – has so often required the President to clean up his staff's messes. And the budget OMB [Office of Management and Budget] sent to Congress does not put America on a path to peace through strength."
What Happens Next Tillis has roughly 1 1/2 years in his term before retirement. While speaking with Tapper on Wednesday, he said Republicans need a solid candidate who is center-right if they want a shot at winning the competitive seat he's leaving behind. Update 7/9/25, 6:56 p.m.
ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
