Pete Hegseth faced intense backlash at a combative House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday after appearing to confirm that Pentagon has contingency plans to invade Greenland and Panama if necessary. However, he refused to answer repeated questions at a hotly combative congressional hearing about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations.
Hegseth grilled at Senate hearingHegseth was involved in heated exchanges with Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee. Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington asked the secretary whether the Defense Department has plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if necessary.
“Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any contingency,” Hegseth said multiple times. Smith followed up, “Including the contingency of basically invading Denmark?”
“Any contingency you need, we’ve got it,” Hegseth answered. “We got a building full of planners, and we’re prepared to give recommendations whenever needed.”Smith asked again,”You have plans to take Panama and Greenland by force, if necessary?” “I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency”
“Not for that,” Smith said, interrupting him as Hegseth finished his answer, saying, “— and thankfully, we are in the planning business.”
“Speaking on behalf of the American people, I don’t think the American people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we would invade Greenland,” Smith said.
It is not unusual for the Pentagon to draw up contingency plans for conflicts that have not arisen, but his handling of the questions prompted a Republican lawmaker to step in a few minutes later.
“Lawyer here, I just want to help because help you out because people try to, you know, twist your words,” Republican Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio said to Hegseth. “You are not confirming in your testimony today that at the Pentagon, there are plans for invading or taking by force Greenland, correct? That is not your testimony today?”
“All my testimony is, is that the Pentagon has plans for any number of contingencies,” Hegseth said.
“It is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct?” Turner continued. “Because I sure as hell hope that it is not your testimony.”
“We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats,” Hegseth responded.
‘You are unfit to rule’Time and again, lawmakers pressed Hegseth to answer questions he has avoided for months, including during the two previous days of hearings on Capitol Hill. And frustration boiled over.
“You’re an embarrassment to this country. You’re unfit to lead,” Rep. Salud Carbajal snapped, the California Democrat’s voice rising. “You should just get the hell out.”
Hegseth was pressed multiple times over whether or not he shared classified information and if he should face accountability if he did.
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Hegseth argued that the classification markings of any information about those military operations could not be discussed with lawmakers. That became a quick trap, as Hegseth has asserted that nothing he posted — on strike times and munitions dropped in March — was classified. His questioner, Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat and Marine veteran, jumped on the disparity.
“You can very well disclose whether or not it was classified,” Moulton said.
“What’s not classified is that it was an incredible, successful mission,” Hegseth responded.
Lawmakers raised concerns about the politicization of the military after former President Donald Trump delivered a campaign-style speech at Fort Bragg, where uniformed troops were seen applauding him and jeering his political rivals, with MAGA merchandise openly sold nearby. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the committee he was not aware of any rule violations and reiterated that military personnel are expected to remain politically neutral.
Pete Hegseth faced tough questions about his views on women and transgender individuals in the military. While he defended cutting diversity initiatives and emphasized the need for the “most capable troops,” he sidestepped direct answers about gender equality in combat, saying, “It depends on the context,” and claiming women “carry a rucksack differently.”
(With agency inputs)