Context:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is set to testify before Congress in a series of hearings that will scrutinize his tumultuous early tenure, including controversies like Signalgate and his handling of military operations. His leadership has been marked by discord within the Pentagon, such as firing senior officials over leaks and inviting Elon Musk for a classified briefing without White House approval. The hearings will address Hegseth's contentious decision to deploy Marines to Los Angeles amidst protests and the abrupt end of a military campaign in Yemen. Despite bipartisan criticism, Hegseth maintains support from President Trump, who backs his domestic military deployments. Hegseth's focus on internal leaks and maintaining Trump's favor have been pivotal in navigating his challenging role as Secretary of Defense.

Dive Deeper:

• Pete Hegseth faces congressional hearings over his first months as Secretary of Defense, which have been mired in controversy and internal Pentagon chaos, with lawmakers set to question him on several contentious issues.

• A significant point of contention is Signalgate, where Hegseth and officials inadvertently included a journalist in a text chain discussing military plans, raising bipartisan concerns about security protocol breaches.

• Hegseth's actions, such as the unauthorized invitation of Elon Musk to a Pentagon briefing and the firing of senior officials accused of leaking, have intensified scrutiny and criticism of his leadership style.

• The hearings will also focus on Hegseth's controversial decision to mobilize Marines to support law enforcement in Los Angeles, a move that has been criticized for potentially setting a precedent for military involvement in domestic affairs.

• Hegseth's tenure saw the abrupt end of a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen, with internal disagreements over its effectiveness, notably with Gen. Dan Caine, who questioned its strategic value.

• Despite the controversies, Hegseth retains President Trump's support, crucially aligning with Trump's domestic military strategies, including deploying troops to the US-Mexico border and activating the California National Guard.

• Hegseth's persistent focus on combating leaks within the Pentagon, including pushing for polygraph tests, reflects ongoing tensions and his efforts to maintain control and security within the Department of Defense.