Pentagon’s Pete Hegseth Dodges Accountability in Heated Iran War Hearing

At a marathon nearly six-hour hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with Democratic lawmakers over the Trump administration’s escalating war in Iran. It was Hegseth’s first time testifying under oath since the conflict began, and he came ready to defend the indefensible.

Hegseth opened by blaming “defeatist words” from Democrats and some Republicans for undermining US efforts, framing criticism as unpatriotic and rooted in “hatred for President Trump.” But Democratic committee members pushed back hard, calling the war an expensive “war of choice” waged without Congress’s approval. California Democrat John Garamendi accused the administration of lying to the public and trapping the US in another Middle East quagmire.

The Pentagon’s chief financial officer, Jules Hurst, revealed the staggering cost so far: $25 billion spent mostly on munitions and equipment replacement. Yet Hurst admitted a full cost assessment is still pending, underscoring the administration’s lack of transparency. Meanwhile, the White House is pushing Congress for a massive $1.5 trillion defense budget increase — the largest since World War Two — claiming it’s needed to keep pace with evolving threats.

Republicans on the committee largely echoed the administration’s hawkish stance, with Florida’s Carlos Gimenez insisting Iran poses an existential threat and must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons. But the hearing also exposed the broader fallout of the war, including rising global oil prices and inflationary pressures hitting everyday Americans.

One of the most damning moments came when lawmakers demanded accountability for a US airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran, which reportedly killed 168 people, including over 100 children. Though US military investigators suspect American forces were responsible, the Pentagon has yet to publicly acknowledge the tragedy. Hegseth dismissed the issue as an “unfortunate situation” still under investigation and refused to assign any cost or responsibility.

Throughout the hearing, Hegseth’s tone was defiant and confrontational, even telling a congressman “shame on you” during a heated exchange. His refusal to engage seriously with questions about civilian casualties, unchecked military spending, and the legality of the war only deepens concerns about the administration’s reckless approach.

As the US and Iran move toward a tentative ceasefire and peace talks, the Trump administration’s handling of this conflict remains shrouded in secrecy and marked by denial. Hegseth’s upcoming Senate testimony will be another chance for lawmakers to demand answers — but the Pentagon’s pattern of evasion and aggression suggests accountability will remain elusive.