Hegseth gets bipartisan grilling on rising costs of the Iran war and Trump's end game
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced bipartisan questioning in Congress about the rising $29 billion cost of the Iran war, including munitions depletion and strained U.S. alliances, while defending the Trump administration’s military strategy and budget plans. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the administration’s approach to NATO and weapons stockpiles, with Republicans emphasizing the need for allied support and Democrats pressing for troop drawdown plans.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before House and Senate lawmakers on Tuesday, addressing concerns over the escalating $29 billion cost of the Iran war, which now includes $24 billion in munitions replacement and equipment repairs. Hegseth dismissed claims of depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles, stating that the military has sufficient missile defense systems and is accelerating production. However, lawmakers raised doubts about preparedness for high-end conflicts, with California Republican Rep. Ken Calvert questioning whether stockpiles are adequate. Republican lawmakers criticized the Trump administration’s strained relations with NATO allies, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calling NATO the ‘most important military alliance in world history.’ McConnell and Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole warned that Trump’s ‘America First’ stance risks undermining global partnerships, particularly as the administration plans to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany. Hegseth did not directly address these concerns but emphasized that U.S. military power is most effective when coordinated with allies. During a four-hour hearing, lawmakers also scrutinized the Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion 2027 military budget proposal amid rising fuel costs, which pose political challenges for Republicans ahead of midterm elections. Minnesota Democrat Rep. Betty McCollum pressed Hegseth on whether there is a plan to withdraw troops from the Middle East if Congress advances stalled efforts to end the war. Hegseth responded that the military has plans for escalation, asset shifts, or retrograde operations but declined to disclose specifics. The hearings highlighted tensions between the administration’s public stance on the Iran war and lawmakers’ demands for transparency on stockpiles, troop levels, and alliance strategy. Hegseth repeatedly downplayed concerns about munitions shortages, though Republicans and Democrats alike expressed skepticism. The discussions underscored broader partisan divides over defense spending, foreign policy, and the war’s long-term impact on U.S. military readiness.
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