Democratic candidates have seized on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as their new campaign foil, according to MS NOW host Alicia Menendez, who said Friday that the Pentagon chief has become “the new boogeyman on the campaign trail.”
Speaking on her show “On the Line,” Menendez pointed to escalating Democratic demands for Hegseth’s removal over the extended deployment of the USS Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that has spent nearly nine months at sea as part of what she described as “President Trump’s war of choice with Iran.” The carrier has set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea, according to her account.
Calls for Hegseth’s Firing Grow
Menendez noted that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Hegseth to be fired immediately, and that he is not alone in that demand. She highlighted that a growing number of Democrats are either calling for his dismissal or raising the possibility of impeachment proceedings.
The commentary follows an appearance on her Thursday show by Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), a veteran, who was asked directly whether impeachment would be a priority if Democrats retake Congress. Auchincloss responded affirmatively, stating: “Yes, it should be, absolutely. We need an inquiry. We need oversight and investigations. And if the facts yield an impeachment recommendation, we need to pursue that vigorously.”
Auchincloss has repeatedly called for Hegseth to resign, and his remarks on MS NOW underscored the growing pressure within the Democratic Party to hold the Defense Secretary accountable for the conditions facing service members aboard the USS Lincoln.
A Shift in Attack Strategy
Menendez observed that political reporting suggests Democratic candidates are planning to shift their attacks from President Trump to Hegseth, making him a central target in the upcoming elections. She framed this as a strategic pivot, with Hegseth emerging as a focal point for Democratic messaging on national security and military readiness.
The comments come amid what Menendez described as “horrific conditions” for service members on the USS Lincoln, though she did not provide specific details in the segment. The carrier’s prolonged deployment has become a flashpoint in the broader political debate over the administration’s Iran policy.
As the midterm campaign season intensifies, the question of whether Hegseth will remain in his post—and whether impeachment could follow a Democratic takeover—looks set to remain a live issue on the trail.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/14/ms-nows-menendez-democratic-candidates-have-made-hegseth-the-new-boogeyman/