Monks, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) – State Senator Zach Wahls, a Democrat in Coralville, called the US Secretary for Defense Pete Hegseth to resign for his role in a group text message discussing a military action to come and also confirmed to Gray Media Iowa that he is considering an American Senate executed in 2026.
“Many people have been talking to me about the American Senate since the elections,” said Wahls, “and I certainly listen to that.”
Wahls was elected for the first time in the Senate in 2018 and was a leader of the minority for two years before his Caucus withdrew him after his decision to dismiss two long -standing staff who, according to other Democrats in the Senate, were too precious to lose.
While he considers a race in the American Senate – potentially against the Republican with two mandates Joni Ernst – Wahls weighed on the controversy with the main national security officials of Trump administration participating in a group message which was accidentally shared with the editor of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.
Goldberg has published some of the messages. Trump officials said, none of the messages had revealed classified information.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice-President JD Vance and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard were part of chat messages shared on the signal of the encrypted messaging application.
Hegseth shared details during the exchange concerning a future American strike for Yemen, According to messages published in the Atlantic.
Wahls has published a criticizing Hegseth declaration to share information that could have been risky to be intercepted by the pirates and to put the American soldiers or their operations in danger.
“Pete Hegseth is dangerously unqualified and must resign immediately. His imprudence and his contempt for federal law threatens national security and endangers our military staff,” said Wahls.
Wahls included Ernst in his criticism. Ernst initially expressed his concerns concerning HegSeth’s qualifications for employment Due to allegations of inappropriate driving and excessive alcohol consumption.
Ernst voted to confirm this following the pressure of Trump supporters and the threats that another Republican would run against her in primary school for her seat next June.
“Senator Ernst herself expressed serious doubts about HegSeth’s qualifications before giving in to political pressure. This is exactly what Washington does to politicians like Senator Ernst who care more about their status than serving their country,” said Wahls.
“Senator Ernst expressed the decisive vote for Hegseth despite generalized warnings and his own adaptations as to his incapacity for this critical position. His decision had immediate negative consequences for the security of America. If secretary Hegseth refuses to do the honorable thing and to resign, Senator Ernst had to recognize his error and join my call to his resignation.
Wahls said he would decide to introduce himself for the headquarters of Ernst after the end of this legislation session, which will probably be in April or May.
Gray Media Iowa contacted Ernst’s office to see if the senator still had confidence in Hegseth. Ernst staff sent this video of the senator responding to a CNN journalist where she expressed his support for Hegseth.
About the author: Dave Price, from the Midwest, is the political director of the Iowa of Gray Television for nine stations that broadcast in the state and has covered the local, state and national policy of Iowa since 2001.
Dave produces and hosts “inside Iowa Politics”, a weekly and in -depth program focused on interviews with the main leaders on politics, questions, challenges and solutions that have an impact on the state.
He wrote two books on the Iowa caucus (“Caucus chaos” and “Caucus Chaos Trump”). Send him an email to dave.price@gray.tv. Follow him on x (twitter): @idaveprice Meta / Facebook: Davepricenews Instagram: IDAVEPRICE And LinkedIn: Dave Price.
Dave welcomes your reflections on the responses to seek from politicians and decision -makers and what problems question our communities.
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