Sen. Kennedy Dodges Question About Hegseth on Meet the Press

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) avoided addressing questions about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Sunday appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” When host Kristen Welker asked whether he still had confidence in Hegseth, Kennedy replied, “It’s not my place to have confidence in him,” and did not elaborate further.

The question came amid growing Republican scrutiny of the Pentagon’s handling of the escalating Iran conflict and a wave of senior defense staff departures. Hegseth’s leadership has been challenged by lawmakers who cite concerns over the administration’s strategy in the Middle East and the broader implications of the U.S. military’s readiness. Kennedy’s evasive response reflects a broader trend of Republican officials deferring to the Secretary of Defense while simultaneously signaling discontent with his management.

Kennedy’s brief answer underscores the tension within the defense establishment as Congress evaluates Hegseth’s performance. The lack of a definitive stance from the senator may influence how other lawmakers approach oversight and policy decisions related to the Iran war and ongoing personnel changes at the Department of Defense.