Sen. Roger Wicker speaks to the press on Jan. 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
"I make this point in particular because I've noticed an unsettling trend this year. At times, the Pentagon officials have pursued policies that are not in accord with President Trump's orders or seem uncoordinated within the administration," he said.
The top Republican pointed to the Pentagon’s announcement last week that it would discontinue the rotational deployment of an infantry brigade combat team in Romania, arguing it appeared at odds with President Trump’s remarks that U.S. troops would not be withdrawn from Europe.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stands at attention during an honor cordon for Canadian National Defense Minister David McGuinty at the Pentagon on Sept. 22, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty)
HEGSETH ORDERS HUNDREDS OF MILITARY COMMANDERS TO VIRGINIA FOR UNPRECEDENTED MEETING
The move is seen by some lawmakers as an effort to limit information sharing with Congress, though the Pentagon says it is intended to improve coordination and transparency in its communications with lawmakers.
"The Department intends to improve accuracy and responsiveness in communicating with the Congress to facilitate increased transparency. This review is for processes internal to the Department and does not change how or from whom Congress receives information," said chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement to Breaking Defense.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., pressed Dahmer at the hearing on what he viewed as a series of Pentagon policy missteps, pointing to a March pause in U.S. aid to Ukraine, a canceled June meeting between Japanese and U.S. officials, and a review of the AUKUS agreement.
Elbridge Colby, undersecretary of defense for policy, and other military leaders wait for the start of a meeting with Peru’s foreign affairs and defense ministers at the Pentagon on May 5, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, called out top Pentagon policy official Elbridge Colby for being difficult to reach before asking Dahmer, Kadlec and Borders to commit to returning senators’ calls the same day if confirmed.
"The guy you're going to work for [Colby] has been really bad on this. The worst in the administration," Sullivan said, noting it was easier to get in touch with Hegseth and Trump. "Man, I can't even get a response and we're on your team."
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Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Fox News Digital in a statement: "All DoW components engage with Congress on a very regular basis, in line with guidance established by the Secretary to ensure that we are being as responsive and transparent as possible. The Policy organization alone, under the leadership of Under Secretary Colby, has briefed Congress dozens of times, in both classified and unclassified settings, in addition to other meetings. The Department values its relationship with the Hill, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Congress to support a robust national defense."
Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-faces-bipartisan-criticism-over-lack-communication-congress