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.

