Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the House Armed Services Committee for a budget hearing to face questioning from skeptical lawmakers regarding the Trump administration's war against Iran. This marks the first time Hegseth has been questioned since the launch of the conflict, which Democrats have contested as a costly conflict of choice waged without congressional approval.
The defense secretary sought to rebut criticism regarding the handling of the conflict, which has cost approximately $25 billion so far. Lawmakers focused on the ballooning costs of the war, the significant drawdown of critical U.S. munitions, and the bombing of a school that killed children.
In his opening remarks, Hegseth responded to the criticism by stating that the biggest adversary the administration faces at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans.