Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accused of illegal domestic propaganda and facing impeachment

A recent exposé alleges that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has revived a practice dating back to the early 2000s, when the Pentagon recruited retired officers to act as independent analysts and push false narratives about weapons of mass destruction. The current effort reportedly places conservative veterans with sizable social-media audiences into special government positions, using their platforms to favor the administration and disparage opponents.

Such activities appear to breach statutes enacted after Barstow’s 2008 report, which forbid the use of defense funds for domestic propaganda. Additional accusations include a “double-tap” strike on a Caribbean boat, the illegal transmission of aircraft strike times via a personal app, and the concealment of related communications. In response, two impeachment resolutions have been filed, charging Hegseth with unauthorized warfare, violations of the law of armed conflict, and obstruction of congressional oversight. Lawmakers are urging the GAO, the Pentagon inspector general, and the Office of Special Counsel to investigate the hires and the alleged misconduct, while the Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, has resigned in protest.