'He can test it': Trump's Pentagon chief threatened with congressional reckoning

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looks at U.S. President Donald Trump as he holds a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 6, 2026.

Pete Hegseth has received a threat from a top Democrat warning the Pentagon chief that he could face subpoenas and a congressional investigation over his handling of military promotions and be forced to answer.

Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., the incoming chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Democrats would investigate allegations that Hegseth engaged in racial and gender discrimination if the party wins control of the House in November, The Washington Sun reported Monday.

“We will have subpoena power, and he can test it if he wants to,” Carter warned, adding, “This is a new and improved Democratic Party, and we enforce the rules. The time to play nice is far spent.”

The warning follows reports that Hegseth stopped the promotion of at least 45 senior officers who were on the military promotion lists, more than half of them women or Black officers, according to an investigation by The New York Times.

The report found that Hegseth's vetting process included officers' speeches, public statements, photographs, and participation in diversity programs.

Only eight of 201 officers who were nominated for promotion to general or admiral in the first seven months of 2026 were women, making it the smallest proportion in over two decades.

Carter accused Pentagon leadership of unfairly targeting service members based on their race or gender rather than rewarding their military service based on established norms.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell denied the allegations of discrimination, saying military promotions were awarded on merit:

“As we’ve said before, military promotions are given to those who have earned them,” he said in a statement, continuing: “The Department will never consider the color of a service member’s skin or their gender as a factor in promotions. Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, meritocracy reigns supreme at the War Department.”

Hegseth argued that diversity initiatives elevated race and gender over meritocracy. However, some lawmakers and military advocates believe the Trump administration is prioritizing political or ideological alignment over military qualifications

Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee are already documenting the Pentagon's actions as they consider their options for investigations into their conduct.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the committee's top Democrat, said the oversight is focused on Hegseth's decision-making, but the committee has yet to decide whether to launch an investigation.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would put limits on the reasons why officers can be removed from the promotion list, including written documentation justifying the move.

Military advocates warn that blocked promotions hurt morale and staff retention by leaving qualified officers uncertain about their future and opportunities to advance in training.

With the midterm elections just one week away, it won’t be long before we find out if Hegseth will face a congressional reckoning as promised by Democrats.

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