WHYY Studio 2 | November 11, 2026
“Pete Hegseth himself does not embody all of the U.S. military, and you should be able to be critical of him without being critical of the troops themselves.”
That distinction anchors Elliot Ackerman’s appearance on WHYY’s Studio 2. Joining The Atlantic staff writer Missy Ryan, the Marine Corps veteran and bestselling author discusses the effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the politicization of military leadership, and the work he believes the Pentagon should be doing.
Criticizing a Secretary Is Not Criticizing the Troops
Ackerman rejects the idea that scrutiny of Hegseth amounts to an attack on service members. He also warns that an impeachment effort can produce an unintended political result: rallying Republicans around a secretary whom the president might otherwise consider replacing.
Recalling Donald Rumsfeld’s departure after the 2006 midterm elections, Ackerman argues that the effort against Hegseth may have reduced the room for a similar change in leadership. His concern is whether the chosen approach can actually produce accountability, rather than simply give its target a stronger political position.
Accountability Requires a Focused Case
Ackerman argues that any renewed impeachment effort should focus on conduct specifically attributable to Hegseth. He distinguishes that from broader decisions about military intervention for which the president holds ultimate authority.
“I don't think these problems are necessarily going away for the secretary.”
He considers the possibility that non-interventionist Republicans could break with their party, while explicitly saying he does not think that outcome is likely. He also cautions that repeated impeachment proceedings have diminished the weight the process once carried.
“Our Large All Volunteer Military Only Works if It Is Apolitical”
Ackerman’s central concern extends beyond one secretary. He recalls serving from 2003 to 2011 alongside close friends whose party affiliations he did not know because those affiliations had no bearing on their work together.
“If all that matters is the fact that you wear the American flag on your shoulder, and that's it.”
He describes the danger of treating officers as Republican or Democratic generals because of the administration that appointed them. In his view, a professional standing military and dysfunctional domestic politics can become a dangerous combination for a republic.
Politicization Can Outlast the Person in Charge
Asked about merit and promotions, Ackerman distinguishes ordinary institutional politics at the highest ranks from partisan considerations reaching further down the chain of command. He argues that scrutiny of officers’ perceived political leanings can leave a lasting mark on the force.
“That trend of politicization will continue through the personnel that stay in the ranks, and we got to get away from that.”
Getting Past the Culture War
Ackerman acknowledges that the Pentagon faces serious acquisition and supply-chain problems. He argues that provocative cultural rhetoric gets in the way of addressing those practical challenges.
“We're tripping over the culture war in the race to get to the solutions that we need to have.”
Asked what he hopes happens next, Ackerman says he hopes the president lets Hegseth go. He shares Ryan’s concern that impeachment could instead give the secretary more national attention and allow supporters to view him as a political martyr.
Watch or Listen to the Full Conversation
Watch the video above for Ackerman’s exchange with Ryan and the Studio 2 hosts, or listen on WHYY’s original episode page. The full episode also lists University of Pennsylvania law and philosophy professor Claire Finkelstein as a guest.
Original episode and source credit: WHYY, Studio 2, November 11, 2026.
https://whyy.org/episodes/pete-hegseth-impeachment-pentagon/