- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from Democrats during a House Armed Services Committee hearing regarding military action against Iran.
- Lawmakers grilled Hegseth over the $25 billion cost of the conflict, which proceeded without congressional approval, and the significant depletion of U.S. munitions.
- Democrats questioned the administration's shifting justifications for the war, the bombing of a school resulting in child fatalities, and the economic impact of rising gas prices due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Hegseth dismissed criticisms as politically motivated and defended his decision to oust several top military leaders, including Gen. Randy George, citing the need for 'new leadership'.
- The conflict, initiated on February 28 without congressional oversight, has led to a stalemate, with the U.S. rejecting Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting a U.S. blockade.
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