During a contentious hearing on April 30, 2023, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense questioning from Democratic lawmakers regarding the Trump administration's handling of the Iran war. The House Armed Services Committee meeting, which lasted six hours, focused on a proposed USD 1.5 trillion defense budget and the USD 25 billion cost of the ongoing conflict in Iran. Hegseth was accused of misleading Congress and the public about the war's implications and the rationale behind his recent firings of senior military officers. In response, he asserted that such firings were necessary to foster a new leadership culture within the Pentagon. Tensions escalated as Hegseth defended President Trump, labeling him as the “sharpest” commander-in-chief in recent history, while Democrats criticized the administration’s military strategies and questioned Trump's mental fitness for office. Hegseth's remarks included a rebuttal to accusations of incompetence, suggesting that Democrats were blinded by their disdain for Trump. The hearing underscored the polarized political climate surrounding military decisions and defense policies, with Hegseth scheduled to further address the Senate Armed Forces Committee soon.