Declining Approval Ratings for Army Secretary amid Iran Conflict
CNN’s Chief Data Analyst, Harry Enten, pointed out on Friday that Army Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing waning support among Americans as the U.S. navigates its ongoing conflict with Iran.
According to a Quinnipiac poll, Hegseth’s net approval rating stands at -15 points, with independents viewing him even less favorably at -28 points. Another poll by Yahoo reported an even lower approval rating among independents, at -33 points. For context, previous Defense Secretaries, such as Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, enjoyed higher ratings during comparable periods in past military actions.
Enten suggested that there’s a stark contrast between current perceptions and those of past secretaries of defense, especially early in conflicts. He highlighted, for instance, that during the Gulf War, Cheney had a staggering 62-point approval rating. Rumsfeld’s popularity was also significant, although it decreased over time. In contrast, Hegseth’s popularity appears to be much lower right now. The numbers seem to suggest he’s operating in a completely different environment.
Further data from the Quinnipiac poll indicated that former Defense Secretary James Mattis had an approval rating of +37 points at a similar point in his tenure, unlike Hegseth’s -17 points. Enten remarked on the alarming difference in their standings, noting Mattis’s popularity was over 50 points greater than Hegseth’s.
Public sentiment on the Iran conflict itself is mixed. Recent surveys, including one from the Washington Post, revealed that 52% of Americans oppose military action against Iran, while only 39% support it. A Fox News poll from early March also indicated a near-even split in public opinion regarding the war.
The administration has stated that Iran poses an imminent threat to the U.S., though specifics remain unclear. In a recent letter to Congress aimed at justifying military action, President Trump did not clarify the immediate threat posed. Hegseth recently mentioned that there is no defined timeline to conclude the conflict with Iran, while the Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funding for ongoing efforts.
