Hegseth Claims Iran Cease-Fire Pauses War Powers Clock as Trump Administration Dodges Accountability

The Trump administration is running out of legal cover to continue its undeclared war with Iran, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is trying to buy time by claiming the cease-fire freezes the 60-day War Powers clock. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth defended the Pentagon’s $25 billion expenditure on the conflict while dodging questions about how much longer the war will drag on or what it will ultimately cost taxpayers.

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president must end offensive hostilities within 60 days of notifying Congress or secure congressional authorization to keep fighting. President Trump informed Congress of hostilities on March 2, setting a Friday deadline that Hegseth argues has been paused by the current cease-fire. This interpretation is highly questionable and appears to be a legal dodge to avoid congressional oversight.

Congressional leaders from both parties have signaled they want an exit strategy, with Republican Senator John Curtis calling 60 days “a fully sufficient window” for emergency military action. Yet reports suggest the administration is considering a new “short and powerful” strike campaign to break the deadlock with Iran, risking further escalation and global instability.

Senate Democrats have condemned Hegseth’s handling of the conflict, pointing to soaring oil prices and the lack of a clear plan. Senator Jack Reed accused the defense secretary of feeding President Trump “what he wants to hear instead of what he needs to hear,” warning that empty promises endanger troops and the nation.

Hegseth, in turn, dismissed critics as “reckless naysayers” unwilling to acknowledge military successes, doubling down on a narrative that prioritizes political spin over accountability.

This latest maneuver highlights the Trump administration’s pattern of sidestepping legal constraints and congressional authority to wage endless wars without public debate or democratic approval. With the War Powers clock ticking and no transparent plan in sight, the American people deserve answers — not smoke and mirrors.