War in the Middle East: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth under fire from Democratic lawmakers

In the context of this parliamentary hearing, the Pentagon also specified that the war in the Middle East had cost 25 billion dollars.

Published on 04/29/2026 at 10:58 PM

Reading time: 2min

Where are the United States headed in their war against Iran? Many lawmakers, including Republicans, regret that the U.S. executive did not consult Congress more, when the U.S. Constitution requires its formal approval to declare war. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday, April 29, during his first parliamentary hearing since the start of the war in Iran. The initial purpose of the hearing was the U.S. executive’s request to increase the American defense budget by a staggering 42%, to $1.5 trillion in 2027. But questions quickly focused on the conflict in the Middle East. “We’re spending about 25 billion dollars on Operation Epic Fury. Most of it on ammunition,” said Jules Hurst, Pentagon’s financial manager. This rough estimate was later echoed by Pete Hegseth. When questioned about future expenses, the minister evaded the issue: “What is the price to pay to ensure that Iran never obtains nuclear weapons?”

Pete Hegseth, seated beside U.S. Army Chief of Staff Dan Caine, faced members of the House Armed Services Committee for hours. “How will these tactical victories translate into a form of strategic success?” Democratic Congressman Adam Smith pondered in his opening remarks, listing the regional escalation in the Middle East, the 13 American military deaths in the conflict, and civilian casualties. Another Democratic representative, John Garamendi, accused Pete Hegseth of “lying to Americans about this war from day one, and the president [Donald Trump] as well,” regarding both the reasons and evolution of the conflict.

“You and the president have put forward constantly changing reasons to justify this war, and the strategy has become incredibly incompetent.”

Adam Smith, Democratic Congressman

in a parliamentary hearing, addressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

“Shame on you for calling this a quagmire after two months,” replied the minister, after the Californian representative used that term. A ceasefire – extended by Donald Trump without a deadline – has been in effect for three weeks, but negotiations between Washington and Tehran to permanently end the war are at a standstill. Since the beginning, Pete Hegseth’s conduct of the war has irritated opposition Democrats, who have launched six procedures to remove him from his position, without real hope of succeeding. Many lawmakers, including Republicans, also regret that the U.S. executive did not consult Congress more before initiating this conflict, despite the Constitution requiring its approval to formally “declare” war.