US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced nearly six hours of heated questioning from Democratic lawmakers during his first sworn testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. He was joined by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Pentagon CFO Jules Hurst. Hegseth alleged that the “biggest adversary” is the “defeatist words” of Democrats and some Republicans.

Democrats criticized the use of federal funds in the conflict. Hurst revealed the war has cost the US $25 billion so far, mostly on munitions and equipment replacement. A full cost assessment is pending. The White House has requested a $1.5 trillion defense budget, the largest expansion since World War II, which Hegseth claimed “reflects the urgency of the moment” and Caine called a “historic down payment for future security.”

Democrats characterized the military action as an expensive “war of choice” waged without congressional approval. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) accused Hegseth of lying to the public and said Trump is “stuck in a quagmire” in the Middle East. Hegseth called the statement “reckless” and retorted, “Your hatred for President Trump blinds you.”

Republicans largely supported the Pentagon. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) called Iran an existential threat. The hearing also addressed global oil price hikes and the economic fallout. Lawmakers demanded accountability for an airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed 168 people, including 110 children. US military investigators allegedly found American forces likely responsible unintentionally. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) said, “We made a mistake… two months later we refused to say anything, giving the impression we don’t care.” Hegseth stated the incident remains under investigation and he “wouldn’t tie a cost to that.”

Source: www.bbc.com