Pete Hegseth Urged To Quit by Former Pentagon Spokesman Who Says He Is ‘Damaging’ Trump’s Brand

Pete Hegseth must resign since he is destructive Donald Trump’s political standing, according to previous Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot. Speaking on MS NOW on 14 November, Ullyot restored his require the Secretary of War to step down, stating Hegseth was ‘quite harming the president’s brand name, no concern about it, and the Republican brand name.’

For context, Ullyot held a senior public affairs function at the Pentagon throughout the early months of Trump’s 2nd administration before leaving in April 2025. That very same month, he went public in a viewpoint piece for Politico. In it, he implicated Hegseth’s group of triggering chaos through personnel terminations and deceptive declarations.

He explained the department as remaining in ‘overall mayhem.’

Ullyot has actually continued his criticism in a book released on 10 November 2026. The President Should Have Better: Leadership and Accountability to Keep America Great takes a look at Hegseth and other figures in Trump’s administration.

news Why Ullyot Says Hegseth Should Resign

In the interview, Ullyot questioned whether the previous tv host was ever best for the task. He recommended Hegseth would have fit a less requiring public post.

might’ve run the governmental fitness council, like Arnold Schwarzenegger did; that would’ve been a best fit,’ Ullyot stated. ‘But to run the Department of Defense is a really major task, and he didn’t take a major technique.’

He framed stepping down as a test of commitment. ‘You ‘d leave the phase if you were really faithful to President Donald Trump,’ he stated. He included that Hegseth would best serve the president by leaving workplace.

Ullyot acknowledged Hegseth’s military record. Hegseth served 3 implementations as an infantry officer in the United States Army National Guard. Ullyot argued that time in uniform does not instantly gear up somebody to handle the United States armed force. In his view, serving in the field and running a huge department are various tasks.

He was simply as blunt about Hegseth’s transactions with journalism, calling him a ‘Fox News fire-breather’ who ‘enjoys’ challenging reporters.

news Hegseth’s Role in the Iran War and Republican Election Losses

Ullyot likewise connected his resignation call to the Iran war. He indicated Vice President JD Vance’s remarks after Republicans suffered significant losses in the 2026 midterm elections.

Vance composed on 4 November that ‘the factor we lost is the war’, describing the Iran dispute.

Ullyot then asked who supervised munitions stockpiles and who recommended the president. His response was Hegseth, who he stated ought to have eliminated himself from the function. For Ullyot, the dispute just enhances the case for Hegseth to step down.

Vance, for his part, blamed the war for Republican losses however did not single out Hegseth personally.

Neither Hegseth nor the Pentagon had actually openly reacted to Ullyot’s remarks in the reporting offered at the time. Ullyot’s claims are his own consider as a previous authorities who has actually openly criticised his previous employer.

Hegseth stays in workplace as Secretary of War, a secondary title authorised by Trump’s September 2025 executive order. His statutory title stays Secretary of Defense.

Ullyot’s need is clear. In his view, the most faithful thing Hegseth can do for Trump now is leave. He is pushing that case in his book and on air, connecting it to the Republicans’ midterm losses. Whether anybody in the White House is listening is another concern completely.