Hegseth faces heat over Ukraine aid freeze and breakdown in Pentagon leadership

According to the paper, Hegseth has clashed with senior generals and dismissed three top advisers who were respected in the White House. The source of many of the problems, the Journal writes, lies in Hegseth’s lack of experience managing a sprawling institution like the Pentagon.

“Hegseth feuded with top brass and fired three senior aides who were well regarded in the White House,” the Journal said.

Several GOP lawmakers are reportedly concerned that losing these aides has left Hegseth particularly unfit for the role. Still, the paper noted there are no indications that his dismissal is imminent. President Donald Trump is said to favor Hegseth and was reportedly pleased with the successful U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, the Journal added, citing administration officials.

The report also listed incidents that damaged Hegseth’s reputation. From the start of his tenure, he avoided the normal pace expected of a defense secretary, skipping routine high-level Pentagon meetings in favor of daily briefings with a tight circle of advisers that included Col. Ricky Buria.

Among Hegseth’s missteps: a leak of classified intelligence related to the June U.S. strike on Iran, a scandal over the use of the Signal messaging app, and an escalating conflict with top generals — most notably retired U.S. European Command leader and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Christopher Cavoli, whom Hegseth reportedly began to resent as early as February.

Some critics also accuse the Pentagon of keeping Trump in the dark about a pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Another frequent complaint: inadequate defense spending under Hegseth’s watch.

Still, the Journal noted that Hegseth has backers in the GOP. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma defended him, saying the defense secretary “has done a fantastic job.”

“We’re moving in the right direction,” Mullin told the outlet, adding that if Hegseth needs to fill leadership vacancies, “he will do it as necessary.”

U.S. arms aid to Ukraine paused, then resumed

On July 1, White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that the U.S. halted some arms shipments to Ukraine following a Defense Department review and coordination with partner nations. According to Politico, the decision affected certain air defense missiles and other precision munitions, driven by concerns over depleting U.S. stockpiles.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the U.S. did not suspend weapons aid but simply reevaluated the deliveries.

On July 3, Trump said the U.S. was still supplying weapons to Ukraine but needed to ensure its own reserves remained sufficient.

On July 4, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had a phone call with Trump, describing it as “the best one yet.”

That same day, Trump announced he was considering sending Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine because he “doesn’t want to see children being killed.”

On July 8, the president confirmed the U.S. would provide Ukraine with additional military assistance, including weapons needed to defend against Russian aggression.

By July 10, reports said the U.S. had resumed deliveries of some weapons to Ukraine, including 155 mm shells and precision-guided GMLRS rockets.

On the evening of July 11, Zelenskyy confirmed that all available reports indicated the U.S. had resumed its defense assistance to Ukraine.

Also on July 11, The Hill reported — citing Republican Party sources — that Trump-aligned GOP senators were pressing Congress to investigate claims that Defense Secretary Hegseth suspended arms shipments to Ukraine without presidential approval.