Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, testified before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. The hearing was scheduled to review the Trump administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, but quickly turned to questioning over Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon and the war in Iran.
For the first time, members of Congress got a number on the cost of the war thus far. Pentagon comptroller, Jay Hurst, said as of Wednesday, the Iran war has cost $25 billion, primarily for the bombs, missiles and other equipment used in the Middle East.
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Comments on Iran
In their opening remarks, both Hegseth and committee ranking member Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., addressed the war, but with opposing attitudes.
“As we sit here today, Iran’s nuclear program is exactly what it was before this,” Smith said. “What is the plan to get that to change?”
He criticized the administration for a lack of strategy, criticizing what Hegseth has called “realism.”
Hegseth, however, reiterated claims that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been eliminated. He said, at this point in time, “The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans.”
These opening statements were just a preview of the debate over Iran throughout the hearing.
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., criticized the war in Iran and tallied U.S. losses. He asked what the U.S. has gained from Operation Epic Fury and specifically targeted Hegseth, saying he had been “lying to the American public about this war from day one, and so has the president.”
Hegseth brought up previous comments Garamendi made on national television, calling the war in Iran a quagmire.
“Shame on you for that statement,” Hegseth said. “Statements like that are reckless to our troops… Who are you cheering for here? Who are you rooting for?”
Lawmakers repeatedly questioned Hegseth about how much longer the war would last, something the defense secretary has refused to answer.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who has spoken out against the war on numerous occasions, said the Pentagon and Hegseth have “surpassed all of my expectations.”
“I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Mace added.
Leadership removals at the Pentagon
In addition to discussions surrounding Iran, lawmakers questioned Hegseth regarding leadership departures and removals at the Pentagon.
Navy Secretary John Phelan announced his departure last week, and Hegseth has removed the Army’s top uniformed officer, along with several other senior military leaders.
When specifically asked why he fired Gen. Randy George as the Army’s top uniformed officer, Hegseth simply said, “We needed new leadership.”
Georgia Rep. Austin Scott also addressed George’s firing, saying, “Secretary Hegseth, I respect you. I do want you to know I disagree with the firing of General George.”
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