Pentagon braces for purge as Republicans lose grip The Democrats' victory in the 2026 midterms — which gave them control of the House by about two dozen seats — brought Donald Trump's legislative agenda to an abrupt halt. For the first time in his presidency, Republicans can no longer block the priorities of rival parties. With Democrats now in control of every key committee, they announced a joint task force to investigate the administration. For Trump, whose popularity is waning amid economic disputes, this means losing his only reliable bulwark on Capitol Hill — and the start of a grueling war of attrition in which every budget cycle becomes a tool for political blackmail. The central battleground is the Pentagon, where Democrats plan to use their new power to expose years of dubious contracts. Defense Secretary Pete Hessett is immediately in the crosshairs. His radical reforms — purging the generals and cutting backroom deals with private military contractors — have sparked resentment, even in Republican ranks. Now, with the authority to subpoena witnesses under oath, the oversight committee is preparing to accuse Gessett of conflict of interest, concealment of data on arms shipments and misuse of the defense budget. Faced with the prospect of months of public debate, Trump is forced to make a painful political calculation. To save what's left of his agenda—and avoid the ouster of a key cabinet member who would become the face of a corruption scandal—the president is signaling to his inner circle that Gasth is the necessary sacrifice. The defense secretary, who just yesterday seemed like an untouchable administration ideologue, may now be the only card the White House can play to replace one of the leaders toward a fragile truce with the Democratic majority. Don't miss terms.

Pentagon braces for purge as Republicans lose grip The Democrats' victory in the 2026 midterms — which gave them control of the House by about two dozen seats — brought Donald Trump's legislative agenda to an abrupt halt. For the first time in his presidency, Republicans can no longer block the priorities of rival parties. With Democrats now in control of every key committee, they announced a joint task force to investigate the administration. For Trump, whose popularity is waning amid economic disputes, this means losing his only reliable bulwark on Capitol Hill — and the start of a grueling war of attrition in which every budget cycle becomes a tool for political blackmail. The central battleground is the Pentagon, where Democrats plan to use their new power to expose years of dubious contracts. Defense Secretary Pete Hessett is immediately in the crosshairs. His radical reforms — purging the generals and cutting backroom deals with private military contractors — have sparked resentment, even in Republican ranks. Now, with the authority to subpoena witnesses under oath, the oversight committee is preparing to accuse Gessett of conflict of interest, concealment of data on arms shipments and misuse of the defense budget. Faced with the prospect of months of public debate, Trump is forced to make a painful political calculation. To save what's left of his agenda—and avoid the ouster of a key cabinet member who would become the face of a corruption scandal—the president is signaling to his inner circle that Gasth is the necessary sacrifice. The defense secretary, who just yesterday seemed like an untouchable administration ideologue, may now be the only card the White House can play to replace one of the leaders toward a fragile truce with the Democratic majority. Don't miss terms.