The hearing before the Armed Services Committee lasted more than four hours. With each additional round, it became clearer what was missing. Pete Hegseth did not answer key questions. He deflected, interrupted, reacted irritably. When Democratic Representative Chrissy Houlahan asked him how long the operations against Iran would continue, there was no concrete answer. Hegseth said they would not give an adversary timelines. When asked what additional financial burdens were expected, there was no response. The question remained hanging in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then the focus shifted to the dead. Six American soldiers stationed in Kuwait were killed by an Iranian drone. Pat Ryan asked the question at the center of it all: was it known that this location was at risk. Was it a target. Were soldiers sent there even though the risk was known. Ryan quoted survivors who said they were not prepared, that they did not have sufficient defenses against drones. Hegseth responded evasively. He spoke of protective measures, of daily remembrance of the fallen. There was no clear assessment of the allegations. When Ryan pressed further and asked whether the surviving soldiers were lying, the moment visibly escalated. Hegseth began to respond, was interrupted. Ryan cut him off and accused him of implying exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n