More: It's way too soon to say whether Hegseth's incompetence is also criminal, but I raise the possibility to demonstrate the sheer magnitude of Hegseth's reported mistake. A security breach that significant requires a thorough investigation.

Nothing destroys a leader's credibility with soldiers more thoroughly than hypocrisy or double standards. When leaders break the rules that they impose on soldiers, they break the bond of trust between soldiers and commanders. The best commanders I knew did not ask a soldier to comply with a rule that didn't also apply to him. The best commanders led by example.

What example has Hegseth set? That he's careless, and when you're careless in the military, people can die. If he had any honor at all, he would resign.