Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a bipartisan grilling on Tuesday over the controversial drawdown of weapons during the Iran war, as he testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing for the Department of Defense in Washington.
Hearing Details
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine sat alongside Hegseth as lawmakers from both parties pressed for answers about the timing and rationale behind the drawdown. The hearing, which lasted several hours, focused on the strategic implications of reducing military assets during active conflict.
Bipartisan Concerns
Both Republican and Democratic committee members expressed unease about the drawdown's impact on troop safety and operational effectiveness. Several representatives cited intelligence reports suggesting the drawdown may have emboldened adversaries.
Hegseth defended the decision, arguing that the drawdown was part of a broader strategic realignment to address emerging threats elsewhere. He emphasized that the Pentagon had assessed risks carefully and maintained sufficient force levels to protect American interests.
However, multiple lawmakers pointed to recent escalations in the region as evidence that the drawdown was premature. The hearing highlighted deep divisions over the administration's handling of the conflict, with some calling for a full congressional investigation.
The exchange comes amid growing public scrutiny of the Iran war, which has now entered its third year. Critics argue that the drawdown has undermined U.S. credibility and left allies vulnerable, while supporters maintain it was necessary to avoid a prolonged entanglement.
