In a bold move amid his contentious confirmation battle, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary has fired off a memo to prominent donor John Phelan, urging a thorough review of explosive comments from former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. The action, first reported by The Guardian, has thrust US Politics into fresh turmoil as House Democrats seize on video evidence to push for an FBI investigation.
The memo, sent directly by the nominee—widely identified in Trump circles as a staunch loyalist—represents an aggressive counteroffensive against Kelly’s public denunciations, which painted the pick as temperamentally unfit for the Pentagon’s helm. Sources close to the transition team describe the document as a calculated strike to undermine Kelly’s credibility, potentially reshaping the narrative around one of Trump’s most polarizing cabinet choices.
Hegseth’s Memo Targets Kelly’s Allegations Head-On
The defense secretary hopeful’s memo to John Phelan, a billionaire investor and key financial backer in Donald Trump’s orbit, explicitly calls for an independent review of Kelly’s recent interviews where he labeled the nominee a “liar and sycophant.” Delivered via secure channels last week, the two-page directive outlines discrepancies in Kelly’s timeline of events during the first Trump administration, demanding Phelan leverage his influence within GOP networks to commission fact-checkers.
“These baseless attacks from a disgruntled ex-official cannot stand,” the memo reportedly states, according to insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity. Phelan, known for his discreet role in Trump’s 2024 campaign funding—pouring millions into super PACs—has yet to respond publicly, but allies say he’s already quietly mobilizing legal experts to dissect Kelly’s statements.
This escalation comes at a precarious moment for the nominee, whose nomination has faced bipartisan skepticism over past personal scandals, including allegations of workplace misconduct and heavy drinking. Trump’s defense secretary pick has framed the memo as a necessary defense of his record, insisting Kelly’s barbs stem from lingering bitterness over his 2019 White House exit.
House Democrats Rally Behind Video Fueling FBI Scrutiny
Adding fuel to the fire, House Democrats have amplified a leaked video clip purporting to show the nominee in a compromising situation, prompting urgent calls for FBI involvement. “This isn’t just Politics—it’s a pattern of behavior that demands federal review,” declared Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, in a statement released Tuesday.
The footage, grainy but unmistakable according to congressional sources, captures an exchange at a private Fox News gathering that Democrats claim corroborates Kelly’s warnings about the nominee’s judgment under pressure. House leaders from the progressive wing, including Reps. Ro Khanna and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have formally requested the FBI open a preliminary inquiry, citing potential violations of federal ethics rules during Trump’s first term.
“The Guardian’s reporting confirms what we’ve suspected: Trump’s picks are bypassing standard vetting,” Smith added during a virtual presser. FBI spokespeople have neither confirmed nor denied the request, adhering to protocol, but the buzz in Washington has lawmakers on both sides bracing for subpoenas.
- Key elements from the video: Timestamped 2018 event, multiple witnesses.
- Democratic demands: Full FBI probe into nominee’s conduct.
- GOP response: Dismissing it as “deepfake smears” by Trump allies.
Kelly’s Long-Standing Feud with Trump Loyalists Erupts Anew
John Kelly’s criticisms aren’t new; the retired Marine general has been a vocal Trump skeptic since leaving the White House, warning in 2023 that the former president posed a threat to democracy. But his latest salvos—delivered in a New York Times podcast—zero in on the defense secretary nominee, whom he supervised briefly as chief of staff.
“He lacks the character to lead our military,” Kelly asserted, recounting instances of alleged insubordination and personal lapses. These claims have reverberated through military circles, with over a dozen retired generals signing a public letter questioning the nominee’s fitness last month.
Trump himself waded into the fray via Truth Social, blasting Kelly as a “lowlife RINO” whose words hold no weight. The president-elect’s defense of his pick underscores a broader strategy: doubling down on loyalists despite Senate hurdles. With Republicans holding a slim majority, the confirmation vote could hinge on swing-state senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, both expressing reservations.
Historical context adds gravity: Defense secretaries require Senate confirmation by a simple majority, but scandals have derailed nominees before—recall Trump’s aborted pick of Ronny Jackson in 2018 over ethics probes. Current polling from Quinnipiac shows 52% of voters view the nomination unfavorably, a red flag for Trump’s team.
John Phelan’s Pivotal Role in Trump’s Political MachineJohn Phelan emerges as a linchpin in this drama, not just as a recipient of the memo but as a power broker in conservative finance. The New York-based hedge fund manager donated upwards of $10 million to Trump-aligned causes in 2024, earning him a spot on the transition team’s advisory board. His involvement signals Trump’s reliance on donor networks to navigate confirmation gauntlets.
Phelan’s past includes underwriting anti-establishment campaigns, making him an ideal ally for countering Kelly’s institutional clout. “John’s memo response could tip the scales,” noted a GOP strategist familiar with the matter. Already, Phelan has reportedly enlisted former prosecutors to audit Kelly’s claims, with preliminary findings expected before Thanksgiving.
This interplay highlights the opaque world of US Politics, where billionaire backers like Phelan wield outsized influence. Critics decry it as cronyism, while supporters hail it as efficient vetting outside bureaucratic silos.
Broader Donor Network Implications
- Phelan’s ties to other Trump nominees, including RFK Jr. for HHS.
- Potential funding for pro-Hegseth ad blitzes targeting senators.
- Risk of FEC complaints over coordinated expenditures.
The memo’s ripple effects extend to Wall Street, where defense contractors eye stability at the Pentagon. Lockheed Martin shares dipped 1.2% on the news, reflecting investor jitters over prolonged uncertainty.
Confirmation Battle Looms with High Stakes for National Security
As hearings approach in early 2025, the nominee’s prospects remain murky. Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) has scheduled introductory sessions, but Democrats vow to grill on the memo, video, and Kelly’s dossier. “America deserves a leader untainted by scandal,” Wicker’s office stated neutrally.
Expert voices weigh in heavily. “This memo sets a dangerous precedent—using private memos to preempt Senate oversight,” argued Heather Hurlburt, executive director of New America’s Stimson Center. Conversely, Heritage Foundation’s Dakota Wood praised the nominee’s combat veteran credentials, urging swift approval.
Statistics underscore the role’s gravity: The Defense Department oversees a $850 billion budget, 3 million personnel, and global operations from Ukraine to the Middle East. Trump’s first-term turnover at the Pentagon—three secretaries in four years—haunts the narrative, with critics fearing a repeat.
Public sentiment, per a fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll, splits 48-42 against confirmation, driven by independents wary of Trump’s retribution-focused appointments. Social media amplifies the divide, with #HegsethOut trending alongside #StandWithPete.
Looking ahead, the FBI’s stance could prove decisive. If agents pursue the video leads, it might force delays or withdrawal, echoing past debacles like Matt Gaetz’s AG flameout. Trump’s team, undeterred, plots a media counteroffensive, with friendly outlets like Fox primed to air nominee defenses.
Ultimately, this saga tests Trump’s mandate: Can his defense secretary nominee weather the storm, or will internal GOP fractures and Democratic probes derail the agenda? Stakeholders from Capitol Hill to the Joint Chiefs await the next memo—or indictment—that could redefine Pentagon leadership for years to come.
