By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-hegseth-calls-congressional-democrats-some-republicans-biggest-adversary-in-iran-war Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Hegseth calls congressional Democrats, some Republicans 'biggest adversary' in Iran war Politics Apr 29, 2026 11:45 AM EDT Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said some members of Congress, especially Democrats, are the biggest impediment to preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Watch the clip in the video player above. "The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans," he said in his opening remarks in Wednesday's budget hearing before the House Armed Services Committee. WATCH LIVE: Hegseth, Caine testify for the 1st time since start of Iran war in House hearing "We are proud of this undertaking," Hegseth said, after praising President Donald Trump for his "ironclad" desire to not let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were invited to testify on Trump's 2027 budget request to increase defense spending to $1.5 trillion – the largest proposed amount in decades. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The House hearing gave lawmakers a chance to question the defense leaders for the first time since the start of the war on Iran, which the U.S. and Israel launched at the end of February. While Hegseth has touted the Iran war as "a gift to the world," polls have found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the conflict and the Trump administration's handling of it. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said some members of Congress, especially Democrats, are the biggest impediment to preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Watch the clip in the video player above. "The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans," he said in his opening remarks in Wednesday's budget hearing before the House Armed Services Committee. WATCH LIVE: Hegseth, Caine testify for the 1st time since start of Iran war in House hearing "We are proud of this undertaking," Hegseth said, after praising President Donald Trump for his "ironclad" desire to not let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were invited to testify on Trump's 2027 budget request to increase defense spending to $1.5 trillion – the largest proposed amount in decades. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The House hearing gave lawmakers a chance to question the defense leaders for the first time since the start of the war on Iran, which the U.S. and Israel launched at the end of February. While Hegseth has touted the Iran war as "a gift to the world," polls have found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the conflict and the Trump administration's handling of it. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now