Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to testify publicly on April 29 before the House Armed Services Committee, a source familiar with the matter told MS NOW, marking the first time lawmakers will be able to question the Pentagon chief in front of cameras since the U.S. war with Iran began.
The hearing is part of the committee’s regular oversight of the Defense Department, the source said, and is being convened to discuss the Pentagon’s annual budget request.
But Hegseth’s appearance — the date of which could change — will undoubtedly focus on the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, and the mounting questions from members on both sides of the aisle about the Trump administration’s strategy, planning and endgame in a monthlong conflict that has sent energy prices soaring worldwide.
Since the war began, Democrats have called for public hearings into the conflict, with all 27 Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee writing to Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the panel’s chair, last week: “We believe the military action against Iran necessitates that the Department of Defense immediately testify, in an open setting, before the House Armed Services Committee.”
In recent weeks, House Republicans have joined Democrats in demanding more information from the Trump administration, upping the pressure on top officials.
Last week, in an unusual break with the White House, Rogers told reporters “the administration needs to be more forthcoming in these meetings,” referring to the briefings. “I feel like the people they sent over here to brief us are being very constrained and that needs to change.”
“They need to be able to give us more answers,” Rogers said. “And I know we know they have more, but they’re being very tight-lipped … we deserve more answers than we’re given.”
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David Rohde
David Rohde is the senior national security reporter for MS NOW. Previously he was the senior executive editor for national security and law for NBC News.
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