Kathmandu— United States Senator Thom Tillis has called on President Donald Trump to fire Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, citing his alleged 'inept management' and a 'leadership void' within the military as the US is strained by its war with Iran. In a social media post on Wednesday, Tillis accused Hegseth of prioritizing culture wars over national defense and urged the President to find a new leader at the Pentagon.

Criticism of Management

Tillis criticized Hegseth for what he described as 'inept management' of military personnel, stating that the Secretary is intimidated by competence and retreats into cultural issues rather than focusing on national defense. The senator urged Trump to find a new leader who would empower the military talent instead of diminishing it.

Background on Hegseth

Hegseth, a former TV host and military veteran, was confirmed as Defense Secretary despite criticisms regarding his conduct towards women and past work. Since taking office, he has pursued controversial changes to the Pentagon, including limiting journalistic access and rooting out what he calls 'wokeness' from the military.

Impact of Iran War

The ongoing war with Iran has strained US military resources, leaving the Pentagon struggling with shrinking munitions stockpiles. The conflict has also taken a toll on public approval of the Trump administration, with more than two-thirds of Americans disapproving of how the administration is handling the war.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.