Image: from Firecaptain and Jack X@Firecaptain16
By Open Chronicle News Desk
WASHINGTON — Rear Admiral Marc Miguez, who was recently removed from his post as commander of the Naval Surface Force Atlantic by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has officially announced his candidacy for Congress. Miguez intends to run as a Republican in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, a move that sets up a high-profile political showdown following his controversial dismissal from the military.
This is 3-Star Navy Admiral Nancy Lacore. After 35 years of service, she was fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegesth. Now, she's running for Congress in South Carolina for Nancy Mace's seat.
RETWEET if you support @NancyLacore as she runs to flip this seat and donate below! pic.twitter.com/qFFnWpbYpI
— Protect Kamala Harris ✊ (@DisavowTrump20) January 22, 2026
The Admiral’s removal earlier this month sent shockwaves through the Pentagon. Secretary Hegseth cited a “lack of confidence” in Miguez’s leadership, though the decision was widely viewed as part of a broader effort by the current administration to purge military leaders deemed insufficiently aligned with the Pentagon’s new “anti-woke” policy directives. Miguez, a decorated officer with over three decades of service, has publicly challenged the grounds of his removal, describing it as a politically motivated attack on professional military standards.
In his campaign announcement, Miguez leaned heavily into his military record and his clash with the Defense Department leadership. “I have spent my entire life defending the Constitution and the American people from external threats,” Miguez stated. “Now, I am stepping up to defend our values from those within our own government who prioritize politics over national security.”
The seat Miguez is seeking is currently held by Representative Jen Kiggans, a fellow Republican and former Navy helicopter pilot. The potential primary battle is expected to serve as a litmus test for the influence of Hegseth’s policies and the administration’s military reforms on the Republican voter base.
Supporters of the Admiral view him as a whistleblower and a victim of ideological overreach, while critics of his tenure point to the administration’s prerogative to ensure leadership alignment within the chain of command. As the race begins, the intersection of military discipline, national defense policy, and partisan politics is likely to keep the Virginia district in the national spotlight.