Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from furious Democrats on Wednesday during his first congressional appearance since the Trump administration initiated military action against Iran.
Lawmakers grilled Hegseth over the costly conflict, which has proceeded without congressional approval and has already amounted to $25 billion, according to Pentagon figures presented to the House Armed Services Committee.
The contentious hearing, ostensibly focused on the administration’s proposed 2027 military budget of a historic $1.5 trillion, saw Republicans largely supporting the Iran operation and focusing on financial details.
Democrats, however, pressed Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the escalating war costs, a significant depletion of critical U.S. munitions, and the bombing of a school that resulted in child fatalities. Some also questioned President Donald Trump’s engagement with allies and the shifting justifications for the conflict.
Hegseth dismissed the criticisms as politically motivated, rebuking lawmakers who sought answers. "The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans," Hegseth stated.
Hegseth walked into a Democrat trap by criticizing his own words
At one point, Hegseth was asked about whether or not soldiers need to follow “unlawful orders,” a clear reference to the infamous video showing multiple Democrat lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly, urging service members to stand up against certain commands.
At the time, Hegseth and Trump accused the Democrats of “seditious” behavior. One of those featured in the video, New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander, asked Hegseth is he agreed with the sentiment, “The military won’t follow unlawful orders.”
“I do but understand what you’re insinuating at a partisan point,” the former Fox News host snapped back.
Goodlander replied, “I’m actually quoting you directly, Mr. Hegseth, from April 12, 2016; and I appreciate that, on the record, you’ve clarified this important principle of American law.”
Hegseth was spared further embarrassment as the congresswoman’s time was up.
Things got even more tense when Hegseth was pushed to justify the war
The nearly six-hour hearing also saw Democrats and some Republicans question Hegseth over his recent ouster of several top military leaders. In one particularly tense exchange, Hegseth claimed Iran’s nuclear facilities were "obliterated" in 2025 U.S. strikes.
This prompted Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, the committee’s ranking Democrat, to challenge the Trump administration’s rationale for starting the Iran war less than a year later.
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"We had to start this war, you just said 60 days ago, because the nuclear weapon was an imminent threat," Smith said. "Now you’re saying that it was completely obliterated?" Hegseth responded that Iran "had not given up their nuclear ambitions" and still possessed thousands of missiles, leading Smith to conclude the war "left us at exactly the same place we were before."
The conflict has had significant economic repercussions, with Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil shipping corridor, causing fuel prices to skyrocket. This development has created challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The U.S. has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian shipping, and for the first time in over two decades, three American aircraft carriers are deployed in the Middle East.
Democrats accused Hegseth of misleading the American public about the war’s origins, highlighting how rising gas prices are now impacting millions of U.S. households.
Rep. John Garamendi of California called the war "a geopolitical calamity," a "strategic blunder," and a "self-inflicted wound to America," telling Hegseth: "Secretary Hegseth, you have been lying to the American public about this war from day one and so has the president." Hegseth retorted, asking Garamendi, "Who are you cheering for here?" and adding, "Your hatred for President Trump blinds you" to the war’s success.
Hegseth was forced to justify the revolving door among military leadership
The Defense Secretary also faced intense questioning from Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Chrissy Houlahan regarding his decision to remove Gen. Randy George, the Army’s top uniformed officer, as well as other high-ranking military officials dismissed since Trump took office.
Houlahan noted George’s deep respect among military members and Congress, questioning the rationale for his firing. Hegseth’s explanation that "new leadership" was needed failed to satisfy Houlahan. "You have no way of explaining why you fired one of the most decorated and remarkable men," Houlahan began before Hegseth interrupted, repeating, "We needed new leadership."
The Pentagon also announced this month that Navy Secretary John Phelan was stepping down. Hegseth had previously removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top uniformed officer, and Gen. Jim Slife, the Air Force’s No. 2 leader, among others, while Trump fired Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska expressed "bipartisan concern" over the firings, despite acknowledging Hegseth’s authority.
"We had a huge bipartisan majority here that had confidence in the Army chief of staff and the secretary of the Navy," Bacon said. "And I would just point out it may be constitutionally right ... but it doesn’t make it right or wise."
Hegseth has justified these changes as part of building a "warrior culture" at the Pentagon, a stance defended by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who stated, "I’m glad that you’re firing people. There are people there who are getting in your way. They need to go."
Hegseth touted his proposed pay raise for service members
Hegseth outlined plans to increase service members' pay and upgrade munitions, and also announced the release of $400 million in previously appropriated military aid for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. However, the war in Iran remained the dominant topic.
Despite a fragile ceasefire, the U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28 without congressional oversight.
Multiple war power resolutions, which would have required Trump to halt the conflict until Congress authorized further action, have failed to pass in both the House and Senate. Republicans currently back Trump’s wartime leadership, citing Iran’s nuclear program, the potential for renewed talks, and the high stakes of withdrawal, though some are keen for the conflict to end and are considering future votes if the war is prolonged.
Democrats continued to question Hegseth on the war’s economic impact and rising gasoline costs, contrasting them with Trump’s promise to lower consumer expenses.
Hegseth countered by emphasizing the threat posed by Iran, asking, "What is the cost of Iran having a nuclear weapon that they wield?" The U.S. and Iran appear to be in a stalemate, with Trump telling Axios on Wednesday that he rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the U.S. blockade.
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