Senate Democrats are intensifying their criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during congressional hearings on the Pentagon's military budget, focusing on what they characterize as misleading statements about the Iran conflict.
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat from Rhode Island, accused Hegseth of failing to provide President Trump with accurate information about the war. "The problem with your statements, Mr Secretary, is they are dangerously exaggerated," Reed said, pointing out that Iran's government remains in power and its nuclear program continues despite Hegseth's claims of victory.
The conflict, which has lasted eight weeks, has become stalemated, with Iran closing the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Reed emphasized that American families are paying the price through increased fuel costs for a war they did not support. "American families are bearing the cost of a war they wanted nothing to do with and have gained nothing from and yet, Secretary Hegseth, you declared victory a month ago," he said.
Reed also challenged Hegseth's inflammatory rhetoric about the conflict. Days after hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls were killed in a missile strike, Hegseth made statements about showing "no mercy" to Iranians. Reed characterized these as "dangerous statements that are counterproductive to the mission" and noted that such orders would constitute war crimes under international law.
The defense secretary also faced criticism from other Senate Democrats about public support for the war. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York told Hegseth that he may not fully appreciate how strongly the American people oppose the conflict. "I don't know if you fully appreciate how much the American people do not support this war," she said. Opinion polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans oppose the war, with many concerned about its economic impact and the risk of broader regional conflict.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut challenged Hegseth's characterization of the military campaign as successful. "The American people aren't buying it," Blumenthal said, adding that successful wars require public backing.
Hegseth defended his position, dismissing critics as "reckless naysayers and defeatist" and characterizing the war as addressing a 47-year threat with historic significance. He argued that the conflict has achieved its goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The hearing marked the second consecutive day of testimony from Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine before Congress. The proceedings were briefly interrupted by protesters who shouted slogans before being removed from the chamber.