Senate Democrats grilled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on his handling of the Iran war during a hearing before the Armed Services Committee, accusing him of minimizing the conflict's costs and consequences. Hegseth defended the campaign as a "great success" and pushed back against Democratic criticism that the conflict has weakened the United States. "We are two months into a historic military success in Iran, and you want to call it a defeat," he said in response to questioning from Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
The hearing took place one day before the conflict reaches a 60-day threshold established by federal law. Under that deadline, President Trump must either request congressional approval for the war or withdraw American forces. The United States launched the conflict alongside Israel against Iran on February 28. Public polling has consistently shown that a majority of Americans oppose the war.
Hegseth indicated the Pentagon will not comply with the statutory deadline, arguing that a current ceasefire pauses the 60-day clock. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who has led Democratic efforts to assert congressional war powers, rejected that interpretation as legally incorrect.
Democrats repeatedly challenged Hegseth's assessment, pointing to Iran's continued possession of highly enriched uranium, the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its effect on energy prices, and the bombing of an Iranian girls' school. Hegseth said that bombing, which occurred two months ago, remains under investigation and he declined to specify when the Pentagon would release findings. He stated that "no military, no country works harder" to avoid civilian casualties.
Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the committee, delivered a forceful critique of Hegseth's leadership, expressing concern that he was telling Trump "what he wants to hear" rather than providing candid assessments. Reed also criticized Hegseth's tenure, citing the removal of senior military leaders and the cancellation of the flu vaccine requirement for troops. "The American people's trust in our military took 250 years to build. You are dismantling it in a fraction of that time," Reed said.
Several Democrats questioned the Pentagon's stated $25 billion cost for the campaign. Senator Blumenthal said he believed the estimate fell "well below" actual expenses.
Republicans defended Hegseth and praised the decision to strike Iran. Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana, a former Navy SEAL, characterized the war as justified, stating that Iranian leaders "had been murdering our countrymen all over the world almost every single year."
When questioned by Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada about comparing lawmakers and journalists to New Testament Pharisees, language Rosen characterized as antisemitic, Hegseth declined to apologize. "I feel like it's a pretty accurate term," he said, and stated he stood by the comparison.
