Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, faced a difficult day in Congress on Tuesday as he testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Known for his combative style in press briefings, Hegseth struggled to answer follow-up questions from lawmakers, particularly regarding the administration's strategy on Iran.
In an early exchange with Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Hegseth was asked about the Pentagon's plan following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the economic fallout. Hegseth responded by challenging the premise of the question and pivoting to criticisms of previous administrations. Smith repeatedly asked, “What’s the plan?” but Hegseth failed to provide a clear answer, instead offering rhetoric about President Trump and the need to “stare down this kind of enemy.”
Hegseth later claimed that “the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans.” This remark drew sharp criticism from committee members, who pressed him on it repeatedly over the next 40 minutes. The exchange highlighted Hegseth's difficulty in providing substantive answers on military strategy.
When questioned about the war in Ukraine, Hegseth initially deflected by criticising the Biden administration. Rep. Smith interrupted, asking, “You’re not going to answer the question?” Hegseth eventually conceded that Ukrainians had shown great courage, but his evasiveness drew further frustration from lawmakers. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) accused Hegseth and President Trump of “astounding incompetence” and causing “political and economic disaster at every level.”
The hearing underscored concerns about Hegseth's suitability for his role. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) sarcastically remarked, “I’m a fan of Pulp Fiction, too,” and later told Hegseth, “This is a softball one for you. Don’t screw it up.” Hegseth responded by raising his voice and invoking his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The session ended with many lawmakers unconvinced that the administration has a coherent strategy for Iran or other global conflicts.
