Pete Hegseth Sparks Political Firestorm Over Iran War and Military Spending

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth accused Democrats of undermining national security during a contentious hearing on April 29 before the House Armed Services Committee, where he requested a record $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027. During the session, Hegseth equated Democratic criticism with actions of America's adversaries. He dismissed concerns about the war with Iran, rejecting claims that it had become a quagmire and instead calling it an "overwhelming success” and an "existential necessity.” He argued that the greatest threat to the United States comes not from Iran's military, but from what he described as "reckless, feckless and defeatist" statements by Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans.