Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday regarding the department’s fiscal year 2026 budget request — his fourth hearing this month.
Hegseth faced heated exchanges during the hearing as Democratic lawmakers pressed him with hypothetical scenarios aimed at portraying President Donald Trump’s administration as overreaching and authoritarian.
‘It’s all meant to attempt to smear the commander in chief, and I won’t fall for it.’
Democrats grilled Hegseth on the Trump administration’s strategy amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran, the deployment of troops in Los Angeles, and the termination of “qualified” military leaders.
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Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) questioned Hegseth’s leadership abilities, claiming the DOD “has been consumed by high turnover and disarray” since the secretary’s confirmation.
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