US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers during a nearly six-hour-long House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, marking his first time testifying under oath since the start of the Iran war. Hegseth, joined by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine and Pentagon CFO Jules Hurst, faced sharp criticism over the conflict's mounting costs and accountability for a deadly airstrike on a school.
In his opening remarks, Hegseth labeled the "biggest adversary" the U.S. faces as the "defeatist words" of Democrats and some Republicans. Democrats countered by questioning the use of federal funds in a war they characterized as an unauthorized "war of choice." Hurst revealed that the war has cost $25 billion so far, primarily for munitions and equipment replacement, with a full cost assessment pending.
The White House has requested a defense budget of $1.5 trillion, which Hegseth said "reflects the urgency of the moment." Gen Caine called it a "historic down payment for future security." Democrats, however, painted the military action as an expensive quagmire. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) accused Hegseth and President Trump of lying to the public, prompting Hegseth to call the remark "reckless" and deny the quagmire label.
Republicans largely defended the Pentagon. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) described Iran as an existential threat, stating, "When someone tells me for 47 years that they want to kill us, I think I am going to take them at their word."
The hearing also touched on global economic impacts, including rising oil prices. Tensions escalated over a U.S. airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed 168 people, including 110 children. US investigators believe American forces were likely responsible. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) criticized the Pentagon's silence, saying, "We made a mistake... two months later we refused to say anything about it." Hegseth noted the incident remains under investigation.
Hegseth is scheduled to testify before the Senate on Thursday.