Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had a heated exchange with Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) on Tuesday.Peters called Hegseth a “failure.” Hegseth was testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, asking for more funding to continue the war with Iran.A majority of Americans, 69%, don’t approve of how President Donald Trump is managing the conflict.
The U.S.has been bombing Iran for ten straight nights.This comes after Iran attacked Jordan, killing two U.S.soldiers.Another soldier was killed in Iraq when he tried to destroy an Iranian drone.So far, at least 17 U.S.soldiers have died since the war started in February under Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the hearing, Peters said, “Secretary Hegseth, even though you haven’t won this war, you’re now asking Congress for almost $70 billion in extra money.
You’re asking the American people for a blank check because, again, the Trump administration’s efforts have completely failed to win this war.So my question is, how is your strategy different from what we’ve seen before?”
Hegseth responded, “I think calling this incredible effort a failure is reckless and irresponsible.
It smears the sacrifice of the troops who are risking their lives for the American people to make sure Iran never gets nuclear weapons.Shame on you and others who call this a mess and a failure.And then you say you support the war fighters.Either you do, or you don’t.”
(Watch The Video Below)
Peters subsequently objected to Hegseth’s characterization of his remarks. Here is the remainder of their exchange before the senator’s time expired:
PETERS: Secretary Hegseth, did you if you listen to my comments, you would have heard me say how amazing our war fighters are.
HEGSETH: I heard ‘failure,’ and the word– I heard exactly what you said.
PETERS: I will tell you how I used the word ‘failure’ because I used the word ‘failure’ to their leaders. You, Sir, are the failure, not the men and women who are on that front line, not the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction. But if there’s a lack of a winning strategy, they’re in harm’s way. Their leaders have failed them. And that’s what’s happening. We have political leadership. You, you don’t have a strategy. You don’t have a long term plan to actually win this war. Win the war! The men and women are going to be able to do it, but they need to have leadership! When will you show leadership?! When will you show leadership?!
HEGSETH: Why don’t you show some leadership and stand up to your fellow Democrats who won’t fund the troops, who stand and play partisan politics while you don’t give us the money?! You want to stand up here and talk about the troops, you won’t show any political courage to actually fund our department because you have Trump derangement syndrome and can’t actually commit to anything meaningful. So I put this on you, Senator.
PETERS: Secretary Hegseth, you have trillions. You have over $1 trillion. You’re asking for $1.5 trillion. It’s not a question of money. It’s a question of leadership and understanding what it takes to actually win.
HEGSETH: Political cowardice of Democrats who won’t fund the troops.
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