Hegseth clashes with Democrats in first public hearing on Iran war costs and strategy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed repeatedly with Democratic lawmakers during a nearly six-hour House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, his first public questioning under oath since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on Feb. 28. Hegseth appeared alongside Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst III.

In his opening remarks, Hegseth said, "the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans." The combative tone continued throughout the hearing, with Hegseth telling Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) "shame on you" after Garamendi called the war a "quagmire."

Hurst disclosed that the conflict has cost $25 billion so far, most of that in munitions. "We will formulate a supplemental through the White House that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict," Hurst said. The White House has requested a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027, which Hegseth said "reflects the urgency of the moment." Caine called the request "a historic down payment for future security."

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) cited estimates the war could cost $631 billion to the U.S. economy, or about $5,000 per household, and pressed Hegseth on the economic impact of higher gas and food prices. Hegseth called it a "gotcha" question and asked, "What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb?" Khanna responded that Hegseth "don't know what we paid in terms of the missiles that hit the Iranian school" and said the $25 billion figure is "totally off."

Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) grilled Hegseth over a drone attack on a U.S. base in Shuaiba, Kuwait that killed six service members, reading from a CBS News report in which survivors said the unit was "unprepared" for a strike. Ryan said officers on the ground had requested additional force protection but did not receive it. Hegseth said "we took proactive measures from the beginning to ensure force protection was not compromised."

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) pressed Hegseth on the firing of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. Hegseth said, "out of respect to these officers, we don't reveal it. However, I will note it's very difficult to change the culture of a department that has been destroyed by the wrong perspectives." Houlahan called his response "a very immature way of responding to my request."

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) questioned Hegseth about special adviser Tim Parlatore's security clearance and clients. Hegseth said he does not know whether Parlatore maintains an office in the Pentagon or what level of security clearance he has, and said he did not know if Parlatore represents foreign clients. "Clearly, you're concerned about my line of questioning, aren't you, Mr. Secretary, because you know where it's going, don't you?" Crow said.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member, said "Iran's nuclear program is exactly what it was before this war started," arguing the conflict has not achieved its stated objectives. Hegseth responded that Iran's facilities are "bombed and obliterated" but their "ambitions continued."

Hegseth said $400 million in Ukraine aid was released on April 28, after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrote an op-ed saying the funds were "collecting dust" at the Pentagon. "As of yesterday, it has been released," Hegseth said.

The U.S. and Iran have agreed on a ceasefire to allow for peace talks, but the conflict has not officially ended. Hegseth is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 30.