Pete Hegseth is currently navigating a significant crisis as Defense Secretary, with serious allegations of war crimes surfacing in the Caribbean. An inspector general report has accused him of mishandling classified military intelligence.

Despite these challenges, Hegseth shows no intention of resigning, and he continues to have the support of former President Donald Trump.

These crises have placed the former Fox News personality under scrutiny, as lawmakers, policy experts, and former officials believe they expose a troubling pattern of recklessness in Pentagon leadership.

Defense Secretary Dismisses Criticism of Military Actions

Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Hegseth defended recent military strikes in the Caribbean, asserting that the President possesses the authority to take action “as he sees fit.” These strikes have reportedly resulted in more than 80 casualties and face allegations of violating international law.

“If you’re associated with a designated terrorist organization and bring drugs to this country via boat, we will find you and sink you. There should be no doubt,” Hegseth stated during his keynote address. “President Trump is prepared to take decisive military action to defend our nation’s interests, and no country should question that.”

Trump’s Escalating Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

Amidst rising tensions, Donald Trump and his administration have intensified their hostile language towards immigrants in the United States. This shift has been particularly pronounced following the identification of an Afghan man as a suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.

The President has made sweeping and derogatory comments about Afghan and Somali immigrants, leading critics to label these remarks as “alarming” and “dehumanizing.”

Concerns Over Pentagon Media Relations

Experts are expressing concern regarding the shift in the makeup of the Pentagon press corps. Once comprised of established journalists, many press passes are now held by right-wing commentators and Trump allies, raising questions about the integrity of military communication.

“This isn’t journalism; it’s a group of alt-right outlets that aim to serve as mouthpieces for this administration,” commented Carole-Anne Morris, a journalism professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Update on National Guard Member Injured in DC Shooting

The Governor of West Virginia reported that Andrew Wolfe, a National Guard soldier injured in the November 26 shooting in Washington, D.C., is “slowly healing.” Wolfe was shot in the head while patrolling the capital, alongside another guard member, during a heightened military presence under the Trump administration.

Trump Hosts Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony

President Trump hosted the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees in the Oval Office, presenting medals to notable figures including country music artist George Strait and actor Sylvester Stallone. The President’s administration has seen significant changes to the center’s board, reflecting a shift towards aligning with his supporters.

During the ceremony, Trump expressed confidence in the upcoming televised event, predicting it would achieve unprecedented ratings.

Senator Condemns ICE Actions

Senator Patty Murray from Washington has condemned the Trump administration following reports that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “attack dog” severely injured one of her constituents, Wilmer Toledo-Martinez, during an arrest. The senator stated that the individual was not resisting or attempting to flee when the incident occurred.

Other News Highlights

Here’s a summary of notable developments as of December 5, 2025: