South Carolina's congresswoman-elect accuses the Pentagon chief of undermining military readiness as Democrats weigh congressional oversight and potential impeachment proceedings.
WASHINGTON | Retired Navy Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, a newly elected Democratic member of Congress who was removed from her military leadership position in 2025, has delivered a blistering assessment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of damaging America's military readiness and national security.
Lacore, who won South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, sharply criticized Hegseth during a Sunday appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
Her remarks come as Democrats prepare for a new Congress and questions intensify over Pentagon leadership, military personnel decisions, national security priorities and the possibility of impeachment proceedings.
Lacore's election also marks a historic political milestone, bringing a retired three-star Navy admiral into Congress following a closely contested victory in a traditionally Republican district.
Lacore Challenges Hegseth's Leadership and Military Readiness
Lacore's criticism centers on what she describes as a fundamental failure of leadership at the Pentagon.
The retired admiral argues that Hegseth has devoted too much attention to internal military policies and political disputes while neglecting broader strategic responsibilities.
During her television appearance, Lacore described Hegseth as the nation's least qualified defense secretary and accused him of weakening military readiness.
She argued that Pentagon leadership should concentrate on military strategy, operational effectiveness and maintaining the armed forces' ability to respond to emerging threats.
Her assessment carries particular significance because of her own military background.
Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore listens to opening remarks during a House
Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.,
May 20, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
Lacore served approximately 35 years in the Navy, including leadership positions in naval aviation and the Navy Reserve. She was removed as chief of the Navy Reserve in August 2025, roughly one year after assuming the position.
The Navy confirmed her removal but did not publicly provide a detailed explanation at the time.
Lacore has said she was never given a reason for her dismissal.
Her criticism reflects a broader debate about civilian control of the military, the treatment of senior military officers and the relationship between political leadership and military professionalism.
However, her allegations that Hegseth damaged military readiness remain her assessment. Establishing the extent of any operational damage would require independent evidence, including readiness evaluations, force assessments and congressional testimony.
Impeachment Questions Raise Stakes for Pentagon Leadership
The congresswoman-elect also addressed the possibility of impeachment proceedings against Hegseth.
During the interview, Lacore suggested there could be multiple grounds warranting congressional examination, although she did not present a detailed legal case establishing an impeachable offense.
She pointed to military operations, questions involving Venezuela and what she characterized as corruption and a lack of coherent strategy.
Her comments underscore the potential for intensified congressional scrutiny of Pentagon decision-making.
Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the authority to impeach federal civil officers, while the Senate conducts impeachment trials. Conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote of senators present.
Political disagreement, controversial policy decisions or allegations of poor management do not automatically establish grounds for impeachment.
Lawmakers would need to examine specific conduct, relevant evidence and applicable constitutional standards before determining whether formal proceedings were justified.
For Lacore, the issue extends beyond Hegseth's individual leadership.
She has connected national security policy with government accountability and the financial pressures facing American households, arguing that ineffective strategic decisions can carry economic consequences.
A Historic Democratic Victory in Republican Territory
Lacore's election represents a significant political shift in South Carolina's coastal 1st Congressional District.
She defeated Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt in a contest decided by fewer than 4,000 votes.
Unofficial results showed Lacore receiving approximately 49.7% of the vote compared with Honeycutt's 48.6%, a margin of roughly 3,350 votes.
The victory flipped a congressional seat previously represented by Republican Nancy Mace, who left the race to pursue the governorship.
The result was particularly notable because President Donald Trump carried the district by approximately 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
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| Rep.-elect Nancy Lacore, D-S.C., right, arrives at the AC Hotel during new member orientation in Washington, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) |
Lacore's success suggests Democrats were able to attract support beyond their traditional party base, including independent voters and some moderate Republicans.
Her military credentials also provided an unusual political contrast with Hegseth, whose qualifications and management of the Pentagon have become contentious subjects in Washington.
The race illustrates how national security, government accountability and economic concerns can intersect in competitive congressional elections.
Pentagon Defends Hegseth Against Political Attacks
Hegseth and his supporters have rejected efforts to portray his leadership as a threat to the military.
According to statements provided for this report, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the secretary against allegations of wrongdoing and characterized prospective investigations as politically motivated.
The supplied statement emphasized Hegseth's commitment to constitutional responsibilities, military leadership and national defense.
Those remarks have not been independently authenticated for this article and should be confirmed with the Pentagon before publication as a direct quotation.
The administration's broader defense of Hegseth emphasizes its priorities for military discipline, operational effectiveness and a departure from diversity-related initiatives that officials believe distract from combat readiness.
Critics, however, argue that abrupt personnel changes and politically charged management decisions can undermine institutional stability and weaken confidence among military leaders.
The competing assessments highlight a central question facing Congress: whether the Pentagon's current leadership decisions are strengthening America's defense capabilities or creating unnecessary operational and institutional risks.
Military Veterans Could Reshape the National Security Debate
Lacore is among military veterans whose campaigns have drawn attention during the 2026 election cycle.
Their presence in Congress could influence debates over defense spending, military readiness, veterans' services, civilian oversight and America's international security commitments.
Retired Navy officer Eileen Laubacher also emerged as a closely watched candidate in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, challenging Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert.
Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher, the U.S. defense attaché for the U.S. Embassy
in New Delhi, has her new rank pinned on by her family during a promotion
ceremony. (Photo courtesy of U.S. State Department/Released)
As of the reporting described in the original election material, Laubacher held a narrow lead, although the final outcome requires separate verification before publication.
The potential arrival of additional military veterans in Congress may create new opportunities for lawmakers to examine Pentagon policies through the perspectives of former senior officers and service members.
Military experience does not necessarily translate into agreement on defense policy, but it can bring firsthand operational knowledge to congressional hearings and legislative negotiations.
What's Next for Hegseth and Congressional Oversight?
When the new Congress convenes in January 2027, Lacore will enter Washington with an unusually direct understanding of military leadership and an openly critical view of the current defense secretary.
Her election could strengthen calls for detailed examination of military personnel decisions, Pentagon management practices and the administration's national security strategy.
Whether those concerns develop into formal investigations, legislative proposals or impeachment proceedings will depend on congressional leadership, available evidence and political support.
For Hegseth, the challenge will be demonstrating that his leadership decisions are improving military effectiveness while maintaining confidence among service members, lawmakers and the American public.
For Lacore, the challenge will be translating her military experience and campaign promises into measurable congressional action.
The larger issue is one that extends beyond party politics: how the United States maintains a capable, professional and accountable military during a period of growing international security challenges.
The central question is not simply whether Hegseth can withstand political criticism, but whether Congress can establish, through evidence and oversight, how his leadership is affecting the readiness and effectiveness of America's armed forces.
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-- By Masakela P. Rawls
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