Iran's Loss Is Pete Hegseth's Gain: How US Strikes Boost Defence Secretary's MAGA Image
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Quoting US President Donald Trump's clip on the Iran strikes, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: 'Bless our brave Service Members.'
Apart from the twist it has added to the ongoing Israel-Iran war, the United States' strikes on Iran's nuclear sites have led to another advantage – a much-needed turnaround for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
While Hegseth was under fire after the recent 'Signalgate', the Iran strikes have renewed support for him among the 'MAGA' brigade.
Quoting US President Donald Trump's clip on the Iran strikes, Hegseth wrote on X: 'Bless our brave Service Members."
. @POTUS 'I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many decades." pic.twitter.com/3YiXnuULgR — DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 22, 2025
WHAT WAS SIGNALGATE?
In April, Hegseth faced mounting pressure to quit after the leak of the first Signal group chat, in which The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added, revealing sensitive war plans. Hegseth was mired in row after it was revealed that he shared detailed Houthi/Yemen war-strike plans via an unsecured Signal group that included his wife, brother and personal attorney.
His adviser Dan Caldwell was ousted during the probe. The Pentagon said that no classified information was compromised.
However, critics in the Congress such as Senators Charles Schumer and Tammy Duckworth publicly called for his resignation.
US President Donald Trump had defended Hegseth, calling it a ' witch hunt". Hegseth had blamed 'disgruntled former employees" and the media, accusing them of attempting to ruin his reputation.
HOW IT WILL HELP HEGSETH
MAGA figures like Charlie Kirk, Dan Bongino, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn have emerged as strong advocates, urging GOP senators to confirm Hegseth.
John Cardillo wrote on X: 'Precision strike. No leaks. No US casualties. Never again say that Hegseth wasn't the right guy to lead the DOD."
Precision strike.No leaks.
No US casualties.
Never again say that Hegseth wasn't the right guy to lead the DOD.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) June 22, 2025
Congressman Michael Baumgartner wrote on X: 'Certainly worth noting the impressive operational secrecy and execution from our military leadership and forces. This is a scenario that has been rehearsed for a long time, but it was still a challenging feat to pull off. May God Bless & Protect Our Troops."
Certainly worth noting the impressive operational secrecy and execution from our military leadership and forces. This is a scenario that has been rehearsed for a long time, but it was still a challenging feat to pull off. May God Bless & Protect Our Troops . 🇺🇸— Congressman Michael Baumgartner (@RepBaumgartner) June 22, 2025
Nick Sortor on X applauded Hegseth for the 'blackout on information". 'FOX PENTAGON REPORTER: 'In my 18 years at the Pentagon, I've never seen such operational security. There were NO LEAKS. NOBODY speaking about this. A complete blackout on information about Iran at the Pentagon for the last few days. GREAT JOB, @SecDef Hegseth!"
🚨 FOX PENTAGON REPORTER: 'In my 18 years at the Pentagon, I've never seen such operational security.There were NO LEAKS. NOBODY speaking about this. A complete blackout on information about Iran at the Pentagon for the last few days."
GREAT JOB, @SecDef Hegseth! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AnDZ1i8uLz
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 22, 2025
Michael V Pearce posted on X: 'Fox News Jennifer Griffin: '18 years since I've been at the Pentagon, I've never seen such operational security. There was nobody speaking about this….There was a complete lockdown, almost a blackout of information…There were no leaks." Kudos to @SecDef Hegseth."
Eric Daugherty, too, lauded Hegseth.
No leaks. pic.twitter.com/rWScvauf1a — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 22, 2025
MAGA Voice handle posted on X: 'Zero leaks. Zero idea of Donald Trump's plan. Huge shoutout to Pete Hegseth. Great Job."
Zero leaks. Zero idea of Donald Trump's plan. Huge shoutout to Pete Hegseth. Great Job 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/npyU0XPVXD — MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) June 22, 2025
US STRIKES ON HOUTHIS
Since March, the US military hit more than 1,000 Houthi-controlled sites, responding to the group's increased attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have said their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians who are grappling with Israeli onslaught in Gaza. Despite Iran's repeated claims that the Houthis operate independently, US officials continue to cite evidence of Tehran's involvement through lethal support, military aid, and strategic direction.
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The US forces had on April 20 conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, with reports indicating over 70 deaths from a prior strike in the same region. A US airstrike on April 28 targeted Yemen's Saada governorate, a known Houthi stronghold.
Hegseth had then launched a tirade against Iran for its 'lethal support" to Yemen's Houthi rebels and warned of 'consequences". He had written on X: 'Message to IRAN: We see your lethal support to The Houthis."
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First Published:
June 22, 2025, 16:49 IST
News world Iran's Loss Is Pete Hegseth's Gain: How US Strikes Boost Defence Secretary's MAGA Image
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