Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media, citing the occupation army: We tried to "eliminate" Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida
Al-Mashat: I call on everyone worldwide to avoid dealing with any assets of the entity, and there is still an opportunity for settlers to return to their countries
Al-Mashat: A final warning to all companies in the occupation entity to leave before it’s too late
The Israeli occupation army carries out a deadly airstrike on a populated residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City, resulting in dozens of fatalities and injuries: Al Mayadeen's correspondent
Al-Mashat: We say to Gaza, we stand firm regarding our stance, no matter the sacrifices
Al-Mashat: We will meet challenge with challenge, and you will no longer have any sense of security
Al-Mashat: We say to the Zionists, our revenge is unyielding, and dark days await you
Al-Mashat: We will take revenge, and we will come out victorious from the depths of our wounds
Al-Mashat: Our people are capable of overcoming all difficulties and challenges, and the enemy will not be able to break our steadfastness, nor will we be intimidated by raids or terrified by threats
President of the Yemeni Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat: The Government of Change and Building will carry out its duties in a caretaker capacity, and the blood of the martyrs will serve as a motivation for steadfastness and reconstruction

Schumer calls on Trump to fire Hegseth over Ukraine arms delay

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Jul 2025 09:19
3 Min Read

As the Senate advances new sanctions on Russia, questions grow over Defense Secretary Hegseth’s handling of Ukraine aid and Trump’s response.

Listen
  • x
  • President Donald Trump, left, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
    President Donald Trump, left, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington (AP)

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on US President Donald Trump to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from office following reports of a weapons shipment delay to Ukraine, a move that has ignited bipartisan concern amid escalating tensions with Russia.

"To no one’s surprise — Secretary Hegseth continues to be an embarrassment and a liability," Schumer posted on X.

To no one’s surprise—Secretary Hegseth continues to be an embarrassment and a liability.

Trump should fire him and pick someone else to serve as Secretary of Defense. pic.twitter.com/yHiSTPA2ED

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 10, 2025

"Trump should fire him and pick someone else to serve as Secretary of Defense," he added, referencing a CNN report alleging Hegseth authorized a pause in arms deliveries without notifying the White House.

Confusion over Pentagon decision

Last week, US media reported that the Pentagon had halted shipments of air defense systems and other advanced weaponry to Ukraine due to concerns over dwindling domestic reserves. On Monday, both Trump and the Department of Defense confirmed that additional military aid would proceed, despite earlier disruptions.

Related News

US bars Abbas, PA officials from UN summit, sparks EU backlash

US senators demand 'massive surge' of baby formula for Gaza infants

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump appeared to distance himself from the pause. When asked if he had approved the decision, Trump, seated beside Hegseth, said, "I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?"

Pressed again on Thursday, Trump told NBC News: "I don’t know anything about it," but added that Hegseth is "doing a great job."

Sanctions bill gains traction in Senate

The controversy comes as Trump ramps up criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and considers new measures against Moscow. On April 1, Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal introduced the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, proposing a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian energy or resources.

Commenting on the bill Thursday, Trump said he expected it to pass, calling it a measure that gives him broad discretion. “It’s a bill that the Senate is passing that very respectfully lets the president do whatever he wants, as you know,” he said. “They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it.”

Senator Graham added that the legislation could shift the geopolitical landscape. “If media reports are accurate, the combination of ending defensive weapons to Ukraine and having congressional sanctions available for President Trump’s use against Putin and his customers will be a game changer. Big miscalculation by Putin,” he wrote on X.

President Trump has earnestly sought to end the bloodbath in Ukraine. Putin’s refusal to be reasonable is going to be met with resistance by President Trump.

If media reports are accurate, the combination of sending defensive weapons to Ukraine and having congressional…

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 11, 2025

Trump weighs emergency weapons authority

Some reports suggest that Trump is considering invoking the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to send weapons directly from existing US stockpiles during emergencies. The last use of this authority came on January 9, when former President Joe Biden approved a $500 million arms package for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Rome after meeting Senators Graham and Blumenthal, voiced strong support for the proposed sanctions. "Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty," he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Trump announced plans to deliver a “major statement” on Russia this coming Monday, though he provided no further details.

  • United States
  • Chuck Schumer
  • Russia
  • Ukraine war
  • Pete Hegseth
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in Gaza Strip

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City

  • Politics
  • 30 Aug 2025
Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025
Although it does seem likely they will launch some kind of operation in northern Gaza, one which will accelerate its mass murder of civilians, but will fail to achieve its stated objectives. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Here is why the Israeli occupation of Gaza won’t work

  • Opinion
  • 26 Aug 2025
A scene showing an al-Qassam Brigades fighter during an ambush on July 7, 2025, in a video released by the al-Qassam Brigades on August 26, 2025 (al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

Al-Qassam reveals Beit Hanoun ambush targeting Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The martyred Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al Rahawi, in an undated photo, Yemen (social media)
Politics

Yemen mourns Prime Minister, ministers killed in Israeli aggression

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, greets Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Israelه parliament, in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Human rights lawyers seek Netanyahu's arrest in Argentina

Radiographer Coralie Gil prepares to enter the room of a COVID-19 patient in the COVID-19 continued care unit at the la Timone hospital in Marseille, southern France, Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 (AP)
Health

French hospitals urged by MoH to prepare for war by March 2026

US Demoratic senators demand baby formula be sent to Gaza
US & Canada

US senators demand 'massive surge' of baby formula for Gaza infants

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS