Reuters. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to defend the Iran war in fiery remarks to Congress on Wednesday (April 29), saying it was not a quagmire and attacking Democratic lawmakers as "feckless" for criticizing the unpopular conflict.
Hegseth was testifying before Congress for the first time since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28 that has led to a surge in gasoline prices.
Democrat Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania also pressed Hegseth over the firing of a senior officer, accusing him of offering "no way of explaining" the dismissal of "one of the most decorated and remarkable men who's ever served this nation."
Hegseth declined to discuss the specifics, saying the administration had removed a number of generals because "we need new leadership."
Democrats peppered Hegseth with questions about the open-ended conflict, with Rep. John Garamendi of California calling it a "quagmire" and "political and economic disaster at every level."
Hegseth responded angrily.
"You call it a quagmire, handing propaganda to our enemies? Shame on you for that statement," Hegseth said in response to Garamendi.
"Don't say: 'I support the troops on one hand, and then a two-month mission is a quagmire.' ... Who are you cheering for here? Who you pulling for?"
