Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had a strong argument during a congressional meeting on Wednesday with a lawmaker who said he lied about how many soldiers were hurt since the war with Iran started.
Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat from New York, is a graduate of West Point and served in the Iraq war.
He asked Hegseth questions at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee about the soldiers who were hurt in an attack in Kuwait on March 1. The attack killed six Americans and injured more than 30.
Ryan said, “Before the war, there was clear information that said the site was a top target for Iran.
There was internal analysis that said the site wasn’t safe from air attacks and shouldn’t be used. But you sent soldiers from the 103rd sustainment command there anyway. Was that true or false? Straightforward question.”
Hegseth became defensive when Ryan asked the question.
“Are you going to let me answer or are you just trying to trap me?”
Hegseth asked.
Ryan kept pushing Hegseth to answer.
“Let’s talk about the defenses that were in place before the attack,” Ryan said.
“Officers on the ground knew the troops were at risk. In fact, they asked for more protection. Did they get it?”
Hegseth said the soldiers had extra security — Ryan said they didn’t.
“One of the survivors who came forward said, ‘I would put it in the none category when it comes to drone defense.
None,’” Ryan said.
“So let’s be clear.
No counter-drone systems, no rocket, mortar, or artillery defenses, not even basic overhead protection that we had in Iraq 20 years ago. And now six soldiers are dead,” Ryan said.
“The next day, you downplayed the attack.
You said it was a small attack that got through fortified defenses. But since then, brave survivors have told the truth. One said, ‘painting a picture that one squeaked through is a falsehood.’ Another said, ‘the unit wasn’t prepared to defend itself. It wasn’t a fortified position.’ Another survivor said the building was as weak as it could be. Secretary Hegseth, that’s directly against what you said at the Pentagon the next day. So are you saying these soldiers who survived are lying?”
Hegseth said the Pentagon had set up the “maximum defensive posture.”
Ryan pushed back.
“Can I speak or are you just going to keep talking nonsense?”
Hegseth asked.
“It’s not nonsense,” Ryan said.
The two had a heated back-and-forth over the questions.
“I’m taking back my time,” Ryan said.
“Stop! Stop! I’m taking back my time for these survivors.”
“Just because you’re shouting doesn’t make you right,” Hegseth replied.
Ryan told Hegseth to resign — just like he had a year ago.
“I’m not playing games,” Ryan said.
“I want to finish. With one more quote from a survivor of the attack and this on the record. Telling the truth is important, and we won’t learn from these mistakes if we pretend they didn’t happen, Secretary Hegseth. Those soldiers told the truth. Those soldiers are braver than you are. They are asking for accountability. They deserve accountability. And I’m asking for the same, starting with you.”
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