Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress for the first time since the Trump administration launched a war against Iran, defending both the mission and its costs while facing challenges from Democrats over the conflict's legality and expenses. The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee focused on the administration's $1.5 trillion military budget proposal for 2027, with Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine emphasizing needs for drones, missile defense systems, and warships.
Key Takeaways
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress, defending the Iran war's costs and strategy amid Democratic challenges over legality and expenses.
- Hegseth called congressional critics 'the biggest adversary' during the hearing
- The conflict has cost an estimated $25 billion in munitions and operations
- Democrats questioned Iran's nuclear program status after Hegseth claimed facilities were 'obliterated'
- Four Democratic senators are investigating troop protection failures in Kuwait drone attack
Hegseth downplayed the length of the war, stating that 'the biggest adversary we face are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans.' He asserted that Iran's nuclear facilities have been 'obliterated,' aiming to bring them to negotiations on giving up nuclear weapon ambitions. However, Democrats questioned whether the administration has a plan to win the conflict, noting that Iran's nuclear program remains unchanged.
Democrats plan to challenge the ballooning costs of the Iran war, estimated at $25 billion so far in munitions and operations. Lawmakers may also question military preparedness after swarms of Iranian drones penetrated defenses and harmed American troops. The Pentagon has only stated that the incident is under investigation with no further details provided.
According to CBS News, four Democratic senators are investigating whether the Pentagon adequately protected U.S. troops in Kuwait before an Iranian drone attack killed six Americans and wounded over 20. Soldiers described their position as dangerously exposed, contradicting Hegseth's account of a fortified location.
The hearing comes just two days before a 60-day deadline that some Republicans say will force the administration to draw down its military campaign in the Middle East absent congressional approval. Several Senate Republicans have voiced opposition to extending the war past this mark, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski drafting an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that would require the upper chamber to weigh in on the conflict.
Hegseth is also expected to face questions about recent leadership changes in the Pentagon, including the ousting of top military leaders like Navy Secretary John Phelan and Army Chief Gen. Randy George. Republican Senator Thom Tillis expressed concerns over these removals, stating they may have caused him to reconsider his support for Hegseth.
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