Ex-Pentagon Spokesperson Predicts Impeachment for Defense Secretary Hegseth

John Ullyot, former chief Pentagon spokesperson who resigned in April 2025 citing Defense Department disarray, has warned that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s impeachment is only a matter of time. Speaking this week on CNN, Ullyot criticized Hegseth’s leadership and suggested President Donald Trump fails to see how much the secretary is holding back the administration.

Ullyot’s Critique of Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Leadership

Ullyot, who left his Pentagon post in April 2025 amid concerns over the department’s state under Hegseth, described the defense secretary as a poor fit for the role. He said Hegseth’s public appearances during the recent impeachment fight made him look like a “Fox News fire breather,” focused more on personal attention than on the troops or the job itself. “He actually likes … to have the focus on him,” Ullyot said, criticizing Hegseth’s tendency to make situations about himself rather than the responsibilities of the office.

Military Successes Overshadowed by Personality

While Hegseth has claimed credit for various military successes, Ullyot downplayed these achievements, asserting many would have occurred regardless of who was leading the Pentagon. He referred to Hegseth’s career as built on his persona as a “bombastic guy on Fox News” who “likes to throw bombs,” implying that his media style is ill-suited for managing the Defense Department effectively.

Senate Confirmation and Political Challenges

Hegseth was confirmed to the Pentagon post only after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking Senate vote. Ullyot suggested that with such a narrow margin, the secretary should have shifted away from his Fox News persona and focused on collaborative leadership. Instead, he has continued to prioritize his own spotlight, which Ullyot believes undermines the administration’s goals.

Ullyot’s Warning to President Trump

Ullyot, who worked on Trump’s 2016 campaign, urged the president to recognize that Hegseth is a liability rather than an asset. “The president deserves better than that,” he said, emphasizing that Trump has “two more years to go” and does not need the “headache” Hegseth brings. Ullyot’s new book, The President Deserves Better, critiques both Hegseth and Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin for placing personal priorities above those of the president.

As the impeachment proceedings against Hegseth narrowly failed this week due to Democratic no-shows, Ullyot’s warnings highlight ongoing tensions within the Pentagon and the Trump administration. The fate of Hegseth’s tenure appears uncertain as questions about his leadership and alignment with presidential priorities continue to mount.