Hegseth will be grilled by Congress for the first time since the Iran
war began
[April 29, 2026]
By BEN FINLEY and STEPHEN GROVES
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face questioning
from lawmakers Wednesday for the first time since the Trump
administration launched the war against Iran, which Democrats have
contested as a costly conflict of choice waged without congressional
approval.
The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee is being held to
discuss the administration's 2027 military budget proposal, which would
boost defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, are expected to
stress the need for more drones, missile defense systems and warships.
Democrats are likely to pivot to the ballooning costs of the Iran war,
huge drawdown of critical U.S. munitions and bombing of a school that
killed children. Some lawmakers also may question how prepared the
military was to shoot down swarms of Iranian drones, some of which
penetrated U.S. defenses and killed or injured American troops.
While a ceasefire is now in place, the U.S. and Israel launched the war
Feb. 28 without congressional oversight. House and Senate Democrats have
failed to pass multiple war power resolutions that would have required
President Donald Trump to halt the conflict until Congress authorizes
further action.
Republicans have said they will keep faith in Trump’s wartime
leadership, for now, citing Iran’s nuclear program, the potential for
talks to resume and the high stakes of withdrawal. Still, GOP lawmakers
are eager for the conflict to end, and some are eyeing future votes that
could become an important test for the president if the war drags on.
Iran's closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor for
the world's oil, has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and posed problems
for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The U.S. has responded
with a Navy blockade of Iranian shipping and further built up its
military forces in the region — with three aircraft carriers in the
Middle East for the first time in more than 20 years.
The countries appear locked in a stalemate, with Trump unlikely to
accept Tehran's latest offer to reopen the strait if the U.S. ends the
war, lifts its sea blockade and postpones nuclear talks.
Hegseth has avoided public questioning from lawmakers about the war,
although he and Caine have held televised Pentagon briefings. Hegseth
has mostly taken questions from conservative journalists, while citing
Bible passages to castigate mainstream outlets.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks to members of the media during a press
briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Washington.
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
The defense secretary will face a much different dynamic Wednesday
as well as on Thursday, when he and Caine also are set to face the
Senate Armed Services Committee. Lawmakers' questions are likely to
go beyond the budget and even the war to Hegseth's ousting of top
military leaders.
Besides Navy Secretary John Phelan's departure last week, Hegseth
recently ousted the Army’s top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George,
as well as several other top generals, admirals and defense leaders.
“Tell us why. You know these are important positions. We are in a
war posture with Iran,” said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a
Republican.
Tillis, who was a crucial vote to confirming the defense secretary,
added that Hegseth’s management of the Pentagon had caused him to
have second thoughts on his support.
“He may be able to clean it up, but on its face, you don’t go
through the number of highly reputable, senior-level officials,
admirals and generals,” Tillis added.
Rep. Austin Scott, a Georgia Republican, condemned George's
termination during a House Armed Services Committee hearing last
week, saying that “some of us are not through asking the questions
about that.”
“I think the firing of Gen. George was an extreme disservice to the
United States Army,” Scott said. “And I think it was reckless
conduct.”
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