1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

Demand an Independent Investigation of Secretary Pete Hegseth We call on Congress to investigate Secretary Pete Hegseth’s partisan campaigning, promotion of Christian-nationalist activity at the Pentagon, use of government resources, and placement of his former personal attorney in an influential advisory role. On August 17, 2026, Hegseth headlined “Operation Top Nunn,” a campaign fundraiser for Rep. Zach Nunn with tickets reportedly ranging from $26 to $3,500. He praised Nunn from the stage and argued that Congress needs him. In May, Hegseth also campaigned in Kentucky for a candidate opposing Rep. Thomas Massie. Calling these “personal capacity” appearances does not resolve the issue. The Department’s February 2026 guidance classifies Senate-confirmed officials like Hegseth as further restricted. It allows them to attend fundraisers only as spectators and prohibits speaking at fundraisers, serving as campaign surrogates, actively assisting candidates or soliciting contributions. Congress must determine whether Hegseth coordinated with campaigns, used his title to attract donors or charged taxpayers for travel, security or staffing. The same concerns extend to Hegseth’s promotion of Christian prayer services inside the Pentagon involving clergy associated with Christian-nationalist networks. Hegseth may practice his faith privately, but government authority, facilities, personnel, communications and funds must not endorse one religious and political ideology. Congress should determine who authorized and financed these events, whether official channels promoted them and whether personnel felt pressured to participate. Congress must also examine Hegseth’s installation of Timothy Parlatore, his former personal attorney, as an adviser through a Navy Reserve arrangement. Although the role may not require Senate confirmation, it raises questions about whether appointment, ethics, conflict-of-interest, financial-disclosure and security-clearance safeguards were bypassed. Parlatore reportedly maintained a private legal practice while advising on sensitive Pentagon matters and participated in a Signal group where military operational information was discussed. Congress should establish his authority, duties, clearance, clients, conflicts and access, and determine whether reserve status or attorney-client privilege was used to evade oversight or federal-records requirements. These matters cannot be entrusted exclusively to the Pentagon. The administration removed DoD Inspector General Robert Storch in January 2025 without the required advance notice to Congress; a federal court later found the process unlawful. Hegseth has also sought changes to military inspector-general procedures, raising concerns about independence, retaliation and evidence preservation. We call on Congress to: Conduct its own investigation and request parallel reviews by the Office of Special Counsel, Government Accountability Office and a properly insulated DoD Inspector General. Obtain the legal opinions purportedly clearing Hegseth’s campaign appearances and records concerning campaign coordination, costs, religious events and Parlatore’s appointment. Preserve relevant emails, texts, Signal messages, calendars, travel records, disclosures, ethics reviews, legal opinions and audiovisual records. Establish secure reporting channels and protect employees, service members, contractors, investigators and whistleblowers from retaliation. Examine whether oversight personnel were removed, reassigned, threatened or restricted for investigating or challenging Hegseth. Hold public hearings, obtain sworn testimony, publish the findings and pursue appropriate action if violations are substantiated. Rank-and-file personnel face serious consequences for partisan activity, religious pressure, security violations and misuse of public resources. Cabinet officials must be held to the same standard. The Department of Defense must serve the Constitution and the entire country—not a campaign, private attorney, church or Christian-nationalist movement.