Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was cut short and told to save his “speech” about how the Trump administration is handling the Iran war.
During a hearing in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, Hegseth had to defend the ongoing military campaign against Iran and the administration’s request for supplemental funding.
At one point during the hearing, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) asked Hegseth, “At what point do you stop asking Americans to foot the bill for a war they don’t support? On top of an inflated budget?”
“I obviously don’t agree with your characterization” of the war, Hegseth responded.
“I appreciate that, but I want you to answer my question,” Shaheen said. “I know you don’t agree with my characterization, and I don’t agree with yours either.”
Hegseth began to answer, then stopped, as he tried to defend the Iran war and explain why he took issue with Shaheen’s characterization.
“I appreciate as much as anyone winning a war, but I sit in front of a committee that wants to talk about winning a war that’s been going on for years,” Hegseth said. “And talks about strategic defeat in a conflict that’s been going on for four months to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.”
Hegseth continued, saying, “I would hope for some perspective in this town of what President Trump is undertaking,” and asking, “Do you want radical Islamists to have a nuclear bomb?”
Shaheen then cut him off.
“I don’t want to hear your speech,” Shaheen said. “I have limited time, so if you can’t answer my question, I will move on.”