Washington– Defense Minister Pete Hegseth will do so Face another day of grilling On Capitol Hill, with senators getting their first chance Thursday to confront or praise the Pentagon chief over his handling of the case. Iran war.
Hegseth clashed with Democrats — and some Republicans — the day before during nearly six hours House Armed Services Committee hearingHe faced sharp questions about the costs of war in dollars and lives – Decreased stocks of vital weapons.
The Senate Armed Services Committee will hear a similar presentation about the Republican Trump administration Military budget proposal for 2027which would boost defense spending to a historic level of $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Kaine will confirm again The need for more dronesMissile defense systems and warships.
They are now also likely to face tough questions about US troop levels in Europe after President Donald Trump on Wednesday made a new threat against NATO ally Germany, suggesting he may soon be able to do so. – Reducing the US military presence In the country it also disputes with him Chancellor Friedrich Merz Concerning the Iran war.
If Wednesday is any indication, Republican senators may focus on details of the military budget and vocal support for the operation in Iran. Democrats are expected to press for answers about the strategy of the ongoing conflict A fragile ceasefireAnd Hegseth Dismissal of senior military leaders.
Democrats describe it as a costly war of choice that lacks congressional approval or oversight. But Congress did Failed to pass numerous Military power decisions This required the approval of legislators for military action.
Questions lawmakers have wanted to ask since the war began on February 28 were answered, or evaded, at Wednesday’s hearing.
For example, the war cost $25 billion, most of it in munitions, Pentagon officials said. But Hegseth refused to answer questions about how long the war would last or how much more it could cost.
Hegseth also said that the deadly attack on an Iranian primary school that killed more than 165 people, including children, remains under investigation. As reported by the Associated Press Which Growing evidence He pointed to the United States’ responsibility for the strike that hit a school adjacent to a Revolutionary Guard base.
Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan of New York asked Hegseth whether that was true Six American soldiers were killed A drone air strike in Kuwait could have been prevented. Hegseth did not answer the question directly, but he said that the army took proactive measures to protect American forces.
In another tense exchange, Hegseth told Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been destroyed in 2016. US strikes last June. This prompted Smith to question the Trump administration’s reasons for starting the war in Iran less than a year later.
“We had to start this war, as I said 60 days ago, because nuclear was an imminent threat,” said Smith, the committee’s ranking Democrat. “And now you’re saying it’s been completely obliterated?”
Hegseth responded by saying that the Iranians “have not given up their nuclear ambitions” and still possess thousands of missiles.
The war “left us in the same place we were before,” Smith said.
The Defense Minister also faced questions about his decision The highest-ranking uniformed officer in the military was oustedGen. Randy George, one of the top military officers fired since Trump returned to office.
Hegseth said “new leadership” was needed, a claim that failed to satisfy Rep. Chrissy Holahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat.
“You have no way of explaining why you fired one of the most distinguished and distinguished men,” Hoolahan began before Hegseth interrupted.
“We need new leadership,” he reiterated.