Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a contentious six-hour hearing before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, where he defended the Trump administration’s handling of the ongoing war in Iran and a record $1.5 trillion defense budget request. The session was marked by sharp exchanges between Hegseth and House Democrats, who criticized the administration’s conduct of the conflict and recent personnel changes within the military’s senior leadership.

Hegseth’s first public testimony since the war’s outset in late February came amid rising concerns over the conflict’s cost and trajectory. The Pentagon’s acting comptroller estimated that the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign, which has targeted more than 13,000 sites, has spent roughly $25 billion so far. Although a ceasefire has largely held in recent weeks, diplomatic talks to finalize a peace agreement remain stalled. President Donald Trump insists that Iran must reopen the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz and abandon its nuclear program, while Tehran demands the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on its ports as a condition for any commitments.

Throughout the hearing, Democrats accused the administration of inadequate planning and lacking a clear exit strategy, pointing to the conflict’s economic repercussions such as rising gasoline prices and potential disruptions in food supply chains due to interrupted fertilizer shipments. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Washington) questioned the administration’s objectives and the broader implications of the war, highlighting uncertainty about its duration and impact.

Hegseth defended the military campaign as an “astounding military success” and argued that the costs are warranted to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He rebuked lawmakers, especially Democrats, labeling some of their comments as “reckless, feckless and defeatist,” and urged patience with the conflict’s early stages compared to prolonged U.S. engagements in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam.

The hearing also delved into Hegseth’s controversial reorganization of military leadership. Since becoming defense secretary last year, he has removed numerous generals and admirals, often without public explanation. Questions about the firing or forced retirement of these senior officers drew concern from both parties, with Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) noting bipartisan unease. Hegseth acknowledged that changing the Pentagon’s culture necessitated such moves and announced ongoing reviews that could result in further removals.

Asked specifically about the recent dismissal of Navy Secretary John Phelan amid wartime, Hegseth described the decision as a push for “new leadership” and “a new direction” to accelerate progress toward military objectives, emphasizing the principle that “personnel is policy.” He also addressed the Pentagon’s removal of several Army officers from promotion lists as part of a broader evaluation of military boards.

Democrats expressed skepticism over the administration’s approach to governance and strategic planning. They questioned the justification for the proposed defense budget, citing the national debt nearing $40 trillion and concerns that the requested amount may not be fiscally sustainable. Nonetheless, many Republicans and Pentagon officials argue that the funds are necessary to replenish spent munitions and maintain competitiveness against rivals such as Russia and China.

Hegseth is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, where he is expected to face similar lines of questioning regarding the Iran conflict and Pentagon leadership changes.