Contributor: The drumbeat against Hegseth? It’s not really about him

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is facing criticism again, this time from political skeptics on both sides of the political spectrum. During the recent presidential transition period, there was an attempt to derail Hegseth’s nomination, similar to the discredited 2018 Brett M. Kavanaugh/Christine Blasey Ford playbook. The focus is not just on Hegseth’s job security but on larger issues at the Pentagon.

Democrats and the media worked to discredit Hegseth during his nomination process. Similar to the anti-Kavanaugh campaign in 2018, the recent effort against Hegseth accused him of alcoholism, having a problematic personal life, and even sexual assault, which he denied. The goal was not just about Hegseth but to undermine the incoming administration. Fortunately, the attempt failed, and military recruitment has seen positive results.

In recent events, Hegseth was involved in the “Signalgate” controversy, where sensitive military information was leaked. Despite attempts to undermine him, Hegseth and national security advisor Michael Waltz kept their jobs. There have been further developments, including reports of Hegseth sharing sensitive information in a chat and the firing of high-ranking officials in a Pentagon leak investigation.

The saga reveals a deeply divided Trump administration on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding Iran. The dismissal of Hegseth’s ally Caldwell indicates a commitment to addressing leaks. The entire situation sheds light on the administration’s stance on Iran and the ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations.

Despite the smear campaign against Hegseth, led by supposed allies of President Trump, he and the administration remain focused on matters related to Iran. The ongoing drama surrounding Hegseth is linked to broader issues concerning Iran hawks and the administration’s approach to the Middle East.