Washington: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces congressional interrogators on Wednesday for the first time since President Donald Trump’s administration ignited the war with Iran — a fight Democrats decry as an unapproved, budget-draining elective campaign.
The House Armed Services Committee convenes to scrutinize the administration’s 2027 defense budget request, targeting an unprecedented $1.5 trillion outlay. Testifying alongside Hegseth is Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, with both anticipated to underscore priorities like additional drones, bolstered missile shields, and new naval vessels, AP reported.
War Costs in Spotlight
Lawmakers from the minority party are poised to shift focus to the Iran engagement’s surging expenses, the sharp erosion of vital US ammunition reserves and an airstrike on a school that resulted in child fatalities. Queries may extend to the armed forces’ preparedness in countering waves of Iranian drones, some of which evaded protections and inflicted deaths or wounds on US personnel.
Although a truce currently prevails, the US-Israeli offensive commenced February 28 without legislative consent. Efforts by House and Senate Democrats to enact war powers measures — forcing Trump to suspend operations pending congressional endorsement — have fallen short on multiple attempts.
Republicans pledge ongoing backing for Trump’s command in the crisis, invoking Iran’s nuclear pursuits, possibilities for revival of dialogue and the perils of pullout. That said, GOP figures yearn for closure and contemplate upcoming ballots that might gauge presidential resolve should hostilities linger.
Iran’s shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz — essential artery for worldwide oil transit — has propelled gasoline costs into the stratosphere, creating electoral headaches for Republicans pre-midterms. Washington retaliated via a naval cordon on Iranian maritime traffic and amplified its regional footprint, stationing three carriers in the Middle East for the first time in two decades-plus.
The impasse endures, as Trump spurns Tehran’s recent bid to restore strait access contingent on US war termination, blockade removal, and nuclear parley deferral.
Firings Spark Backlash
Hegseth has dodged lawmaker-led war probes in public forums, sticking to Pentagon televised updates. His queries have largely gone to right-leaning reporters, paired with scriptural references lambasting legacy media.
Dynamics shift sharply on Wednesday — and again on Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee — where discussion could stray past fiscal plans and combat into Hegseth’s purge of senior brass.
Among recent exits: Navy Secretary John Phelan last week, Army’s top uniformed leader Gen. Randy George, plus a host of generals, admirals and defense executives.
“Tell us why. You know these are important positions. We are in a war posture with Iran,” pressed North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican.
The senator, pivotal in Hegseth’s confirmation, confessed doubts: “He may be able to clean it up, but on its face, you don’t go through the number of highly reputable, senior-level officials, admirals and generals.”
Republicans Question Moves
Rep. Austin Scott, a Georgia Republican, assailed George’s ouster at last week’s House Armed Services hearing: “some of us are not through asking the questions about that.”
“I think the firing of Gen. George was an extreme disservice to the United States Army,” Scott said. “And I think it was reckless conduct.”
