Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) demanded the removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a tough exchange during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Hegseth downplayed data showing most Americans disagree with the war in Iran, insisting he believed the public supported the mission. Gillibrand wrote on X that Hegseth ignored the evidence and defended President Trump, adding that Trump and Hegseth are putting Americans under economic strain and endangering troops. She said Hegseth should be fired.
The showdown took place during heated hearings on April 29 and 30, where Hegseth and acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst discussed the $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027 — a 50% jump from current levels.
The hearings focused on the costs of the Iran war, civilian control, and public support. Gillibrand directly questioned Hegseth: “Why do you continue a war the American people aren’t behind?” Hegseth replied that the troops and people he speaks with are grateful for Trump’s leadership and described the mission as a success against an enemy seeking nuclear weapons. Gillibrand kept interrupting with “So you don’t care?” and “You don’t care that the American people don’t support this war.” Hegseth never acknowledged the polling data she cited.
He claimed the public supported the mission, saying they are “quite smart” and “see through spin.”
Gillibrand argued that Hegseth wasn’t addressing evidence, while Hegseth believed the data was spin. The exchange ended without resolution, typical of the hearing.
The polling data Gillibrand cited shows widespread disapproval.
A Pew Research survey of 5,103 U.S. adults found 62% disapproved of Trump’s handling of the Iran war — 45% strongly. Only 36% approved. Nearly 60% said the U.S. made the wrong decision in attacking Iran. The survey shows that 48% think the Trump administration’s goals were unclear, with about half not confident the goals will be achieved. An NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll found 56% oppose or strongly oppose the war — with 86% of Democrats and 61% of independents opposing. An Economist/YouGov Poll found 53% opposed the war, with just 34% supporting it.
Interestingly, a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey found 36% believed using military force against Iran was the right decision — similar to the public’s disapproval of the Iraq and Vietnam wars.
That level of opposition was reached in two months for the Iran war, compared to three years for Iraq and six for Vietnam.
Gillibrand is pushing for Hegseth’s firing based on two main issues: his dismissal of public opinion data and the administration’s strategy that she says puts economic pressure on Americans and troops in danger.
This isn’t the first time she’s criticized Hegseth. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned Hegseth’s judgment during the hearings. Reed noted 13 troops were killed and over 400 injured, the Strait of Hormuz was still closed, fuel prices were high, and Iran still held enriched uranium.
Hegseth also stirred controversy during the hearings by opening his testimony without being asked a question.
He criticized congressional critics, calling Democrats “reckless” and “defeatist,” and accused some lawmakers of spreading “propaganda” to Iran’s enemies. His comments were harsh and divisive.
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