Hegseth to Face Congress on Iran-Israel amid Pentagon turmoil/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face his final Senate Armed Services Committee hearing as Iran-Israel airstrikes escalate and questions swirl over his Pentagon leadership. Lawmakers plan to challenge him on everything from his use of unsecured Signal chats to his stance on transgender troops and defense funding priorities. As U.S. aircraft deploy regionally to support evacuation and defense operations, his tenure remains under intense scrutiny.
Quick Points
- Final hearing: Hegseth returns to Capitol Hill on defense and Middle East briefing.
- Conflict readiness: U.S. has shifted tankers and fighter jets for Iran-Israel response.
- Signal controversy: His use of unsecured Signal for strike planning faces watchdog probe.
- Pentagon reform push: Critics question his ban on transgender troops and DEI rollbacks.
- Budget uncertainty: Lawmakers demand clarity on Trump’s proposed $1 trillion defense budget.
- Leadership turmoil: Concerns over firings of generals, adviser departures, and unstable command.
- Security duty: Senate members warn national defense is at risk amid operational missteps.
Hegseth to Face Congress on Iran-Israel amid Pentagon turmoil
In‑Depth Analysis
Conflict-Driven Context
As war escalates between Iran and Israel, U.S. defense posture intensifies. The Pentagon has deployed tanker and fighter aircraft to support potential evacuations and homeland defense. Hegseth echoed the strategic message:
“We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal.”
Final Capitol Hill Scrutiny
Facing the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth must answer tough questions about:
- His leadership decisions, including firing generals and staff shakeups
- Policy shifts like the transgender troop ban and slashing DEI programs
- Resource reallocation, moving funds from housing to border defense
- His role in international negotiations, particularly on Russia, Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran
The Signal Scandal
Hegseth’s use of unsecured Signal chats to discuss sensitive military targets—once wrongly adding a reporter—prompted a formal probe by the DoD Inspector General, and a lawsuit over record-keeping violations. Leaked revelations included a second chat with family members about Yemen strikes.
A Budget Cloaked in Mystery
Despite Trump’s $1 trillion defense budget pledge, Hegseth has failed to provide detailed breakdowns. Senators have sharply criticized this opacity, raising concerns over misallocated resources.
Leadership Under Pressure
Once confirmed by a narrow, tie-breaking vote, Hegseth’s leadership is now marred by internal Pentagon chaos.
- Key advisors were dismissed amid leak investigations
- Critics cite a culture of media-focused loyalty over competence
His tenure coincides with global crises requiring steady hands.
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