WASHINGTON (AP) — Making his first appearance before Congress since the Trump administration went to war against Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced withering questioning Wednesday from skeptical Democrats over a costly conflict being waged without congressional approval.
The war has cost $25 billion so far, according to Pentagon numbers presented to the House Armed Services Committee during a contentious hearing ostensibly focused on the administration’s . It would boost defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion.
While Republicans focused on the details of military budgeting and voiced support for the Iran operation, Democrats grilled Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about the ballooning , the huge drawdown of and the . Some lawmakers also questioned President Donald Trump's dealings with allies and .
Hegseth dismissed the criticism as political and rebuked lawmakers who pushed him for answers.
“The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans,†Hegseth said.
Democrats press Hegseth over reasons for war
Wednesday's hearing stretched nearly six hours as Democrats and some Republicans questioned Hegseth over the war and his ouster of several top military leaders.
In one tense exchange, Hegseth told Democratic Rep. Adam Smith that Iran’s nuclear facilities were obliterated in 2025 strikes by the U.S., prompting Smith to question the Trump administration’s reasoning for starting the Iran war less than a year later.
“We had to start this war, you just said 60 days ago, because the nuclear weapon was an imminent threat,†said Smith, the ranking Democrat on the committee. “Now you’re saying that it was completely obliterated?â€
Hegseth responded that Iran “had not given up their nuclear ambitions†and still had thousands of missiles.
Smith said the war “left us at exactly the same place we were before.â€
, a vital shipping corridor for the world’s oil, has sent and posed problems for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The U.S. has imposed a and three American aircraft carriers are in the Middle East for the first time in more than 20 years.
Democrats accused Hegseth of misleading Americans about the reasons for the conflict and said rising gas prices are now threatening the pocketbooks of millions of people in the U.S.
“Secretary Hegseth, you have been lying to the American public about this war from day one and so has the president,†said Rep. John Garamendi of California, who called the war “a geopolitical calamity," a “strategic blunder" and a "self-inflicted wound to America."
Hegseth blasted Garamendi's remarks.
“Who are you cheering for here?†he asked the lawmaker. â€Your hatred for President Trump blinds you†to the success of the war.
Hegseth defends firings of top military officers
The defense secretary faced intense questions from Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat, about his decision to , Gen. Randy George, one of several top military officers to be dismissed since Trump took office again.
Houlahan said George was deeply respected by members of the military and Congress and asked why Hegseth fired him. Hegseth's response that “new leadership†was needed failed to satisfy Houlahan.
“You have no way of explaining why you fired one of the most decorated and remarkable men,†Houlahan began, before Hegseth interrupted her. “We needed new leadership,†he repeated.
The Pentagon also announced this month that Navy Secretary John Phelan was . Hegseth previously removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s top uniformed officer, Gen. Jim Slife, the Air Force's No. 2 leader and others, while Trump as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said that while Hegseth is empowered to make personnel changes, he shared what he called “bipartisan concern†about the firings.
“We had a huge bipartisan majority here that had confidence in the Army chief of staff and the secretary of the navy,†Bacon said. “And I would just point out it may be constitutionally right ... but it doesn’t make it right or wise.â€
Hegseth has said the changes are part of building a at the Pentagon.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina defended Hegseth's personnel moves, saying he is “trying to innovate and trying to change the way we do business.â€
“I’m glad that you’re firing people," Mace said. “There are people there that are getting in your way. They need to go.â€
Democrats ask about war's cost, while Republicans back Trump on Iran
Hegseth detailed plans to increase pay for service members and upgrade munitions while also announcing that, as of Tuesday, the Pentagon had released $400 million in previously appropriated military aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
But the Iran war dominated the debate.
While is in place, the U.S. and Israel launched the war Feb. 28 without congressional oversight. House and Senate Democrats multiple that would have required Trump to halt the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.
they back Trump’s wartime leadership for now, citing Iran’s nuclear program, the potential for talks to resume and the high stakes of withdrawal. Still, GOP lawmakers are eager for the conflict to end, and some are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on.
Democrats questioned Hegseth over the war's economic impact and rising gasoline costs, noting Trump's promise to . Hegseth responded by citing the threat posed by Iran.
“What is the cost of Iran having a nuclear weapon that they wield?†he said.
The U.S. and Iran . Trump told Axios on Wednesday that he is rejecting Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the U.S. blockade.
