Hegseth appears in front of Congress for the first time since the beginning of the war in Iran

Some skeptical Democrats on Wednesday questioned U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the first time since the Trump administration went to war with Iran, leading to tense exchanges regarding a costly conflict with unclear objectives that was conducted without Congress’ approval. The hearing in front of the House Armed Services Committee aimed to discuss the administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, which would set defense spending at a historic level of $1.5 trillion.

Hegseth and Army Chief of Staff General Dan Caine emphasized the need for more drones, missile defense systems, and warships. Democrats quickly focused on the skyrocketing costs of the war, the significant reduction in essential U.S. ammunition stocks, and the bombing of a school that killed children. They also questioned President Donald Trump’s relationships with U.S. allies and his changing justifications for the conflict.

The Pentagon’s chief financial officer informed lawmakers that the estimated cost of the war had reached $25 billion, with a significant portion dedicated to ammunition. Hegseth dismissed criticisms of the war as political and suggested that lawmakers questioning it posed a significant challenge to the American military.

The discussion became heated when Hegseth claimed Iranian nuclear facilities had been destroyed in a 2025 American attack, leading representative Adam Smith to question the Trump administration’s justification for going to war less than a year later. Despite a fragile ceasefire being in place, the U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28 without congressional approval.

Democrats accused Hegseth of mishandling the war and lying to Americans about the reasons for the conflict, pointing out that rising gas prices were impacting millions of people in the U.S. Republicans expressed continued trust in Trump’s leadership during the war, citing concerns about the Iranian nuclear program and the complexities of a potential withdrawal.

While Democrats focused on questioning Hegseth and Caine about Iran, Republicans directed their inquiries towards the Defense Department’s budget proposal rather than the war management. The conflict appeared deadlocked, with Trump unlikely to accept Tehran’s latest offer to reopen the strait in exchange for ending the war, lifting the naval blockade, and delaying nuclear negotiations.

Hegseth avoided legislators’ questions about the war, holding televised press briefings at the Pentagon, where he primarily addressed conservative journalists and criticized mainstream media using biblical references.