More Republicans Want Pete Hegseth to Resign Than Want Him to Stay—Poll

Newsweek - Mar 30th, 2025
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A recent poll reveals that a plurality of Republicans believe Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should resign after he shared sensitive military attack plans in a Signal group chat with top Trump administration officials and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. The controversy emerged when Goldberg was inadvertently added to the chat and reported on the U.S. military's planned strikes in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthis. The incident has sparked significant security concerns and criticism from both parties, with 54% of respondents overall supporting Hegseth's resignation.

The issue raises questions about the handling of classified information and the use of unsecure communication channels by high-ranking officials. The National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat, but Hegseth and the Trump administration deny that any classified information was shared. Despite the backlash, no officials have resigned or faced consequences, and President Trump continues to support his national security team. The situation underscores tensions within the GOP and ongoing debates over national security protocols.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story effectively covers a complex and controversial topic involving national security and political accountability. It presents a balanced range of perspectives and provides a clear narrative, making it accessible to readers. However, the story could benefit from additional verification of key details, particularly regarding the classification status of the information shared and the legal implications. The source quality is somewhat limited by the reliance on a single poll and the lack of direct responses from key figures. Despite these limitations, the article is timely and relevant, addressing issues of significant public interest and potential impact on political discourse. Overall, the story is a well-rounded piece of journalism that effectively informs readers while prompting further discussion and inquiry.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several key claims that are generally aligned with the facts, such as the involvement of Pete Hegseth in sharing sensitive military information and the subsequent political fallout. However, the accuracy of some details, like the precise nature of the information shared and its classification status, requires further verification. The article accurately reports on the poll results indicating a plurality of Republicans believe Hegseth should resign, but the methodology and sample size of the poll need verification. The story also correctly identifies the participants in the Signal group chat, though more confirmation is needed regarding the specific content shared and its legality.

8
Balance

The article provides a balanced perspective by including viewpoints from various political figures and analysts. It presents statements from both those supporting Hegseth and those critical of his actions, such as comments from Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Don Bacon. This range of opinions helps to mitigate bias and provides readers with a comprehensive view of the controversy. However, the story could further enhance balance by including more detailed responses from Hegseth and the Department of Defense to provide a fuller picture of the defense.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, straightforward language to convey the story. It logically presents the events and reactions, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. The use of direct quotes and specific examples helps to clarify the key points. However, the story could benefit from a more detailed explanation of the legal and security implications of the actions described, which would enhance understanding.

6
Source quality

The story cites multiple sources, including statements from political figures, poll results, and commentary from national security experts. However, the reliance on a single poll for public opinion and the lack of direct quotes from Hegseth or the Department of Defense weaken the source quality. The story mentions reaching out to the Defense Department for comment, but it does not provide any response, which could have strengthened the credibility of the reporting.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting, clearly stating the sources of its information, such as the poll conducted by J.L. Partners and The Daily Mail. It also discloses that Newsweek reached out to the Defense Department for comment. However, the article could improve transparency by providing more context about the poll's methodology and by clarifying the legal implications of sharing sensitive military information on unsecured channels.

Sources

  1. https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-voters-think-pete-hegseth-should-resign-over-signal-leak/
  2. https://www.instagram.com/occupydemocrats/p/DHwoIpTR0WS/