U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense questioning on Capitol Hill this week as he defended the administration’s handling of the ongoing war with Iran, marking his first appearance before Congress since the conflict began.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth received strong support from Republican lawmakers, who praised his leadership and backed the administration’s military strategy.
However, concerns emerged even within his party, with some Republicans questioning his decision to dismiss a senior Army general and seeking assurances that civilian casualties are being minimised.
Democratic lawmakers pressed the Defense Secretary on the humanitarian and financial costs of the conflict, citing reports of civilian deaths, including children, following a bombing of a school, as well as the strain on U.S. military resources.
Hegseth pushed back against criticism, accusing political opponents of undermining the war effort. “The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless naysayers and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans,” he said during the hearings.
The sessions also marked the first time a cabinet member under Donald Trump has publicly defended the war before Congress since military operations against Iran were launched without prior congressional approval two months ago.
Lawmakers further reviewed the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027, which officials argue is necessary to bolster military capabilities, including investments in drones, missile defence systems, and naval forces.
While Hegseth described the campaign as a strategic success, he acknowledged the conflict has lasted longer than initially expected, diverging from earlier projections of a short-term operation.
The hearings underscore deepening political divisions in Washington over U.S. foreign policy, as the war with Iran continues with no clear resolution and growing concern over its long-term implications.