The Daily Hegseth in the Hot Seat
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May 1, 2026 
Eric Schmitt, a New York Times national security correspondent covering the Pentagon, breaks down Pete Hegseth’s high-stakes trip to Congress. The conversation tracks a stalled Iran war, fierce clashes over war powers, insider trading concerns, and questions about illegal military orders. It also zeroes in on Hegseth’s combative style under pressure.
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Budget Hearing Became A Rare Accountability Moment
- The hearing was about a $1.5 trillion FY27 defense budget but doubled as rare public accountability for Secretary Pete Hegseth after a year of controversial actions.
- Hegseth hadn't faced sustained congressional scrutiny for firing officers, seizing Venezuela's leader, or restricting reporters until this testimony.
Hegseth Casts Domestic Critics As Primary Adversary
- Hegseth framed critics at home as the primary adversary, calling Democratic and some Republican lawmakers 'reckless naysayers' undermining the Iran campaign.
- He portrayed the Iran war as historic success and domestic dissent as defeating U.S. security.
Democrats Argued The Iran Campaign Is Stalled And Costly
- Democrats challenged Hegseth that the Iran war was stuck and costly, highlighting Iran's nuclear progress, missile stockpiles, and Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
- Senators cited rising gasoline and grocery costs and public exhaustion as political fallout.