Excellent job by Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA07), questioning the country’s worst-ever Secretary of Defense (and no, he’s not legally “Secretary of War,” no matter how many times he claims to be).
- Rep. Vindman to Hegseth: “Were you aware that if we struck Iran that it would they would most likely close the straight of Hormuz?”
- Secretary Hegesth: “Of course, our department was prepared and planning for every possible contingency being front and center as it as something they may do in a desperate state to attempt to…”
- Rep. Vindman: “Which is what they’ve done and I appreciate that. And earlier you told Mr. Moulton that this this department has looked at all aspects of the risk and that the president got every possible perspective. And then recently, you just said that the president did understand the risks and had the courage to undertake the endeavor nonetheless and that’s leadership or words to that effect pretty close. And so I just want to kind of give you the state of play right now. It’s been two months of war. We have hopes for a resolution but the war continues really. Iran has closed the Strait and we’ve now gone in and blockaded their ports. One fifth of the world’s oil is unable to transit the Strait and the American people and the department are paying significantly more. And you also said that this is what the American people actually voted for. But actually, the American people voted for a promise not to get into Middle Eastern wars. And they voted voted for lower prices and this is the exact opposite of what they got. So let me ask you this. The president ordered the strike, is that correct?”
- Secretary Hegseth: “The president’s been saying for over 30 years that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. So he’s been very clear as a position when the American people voted for President Trump overwhelmingly, they voted for that position.”
- Rep. Vindman: “But the president ordered the strike, is that correct?”
- Secretary Hegseth: Which strike are you referring to?”
- Rep. Vindman: The strike on Iran. The war that we’re in in.”
- Secretary Hegseth: “Oh, of course. I mean, he’s the commander-in-chief. He’s made the call.”
- Rep. Vindman: “It sounds like you’re blaming daddy for the mess we’re in, and I don’t think he’s going to be particularly happy with you.”
- Secretary Hegseth: “I see what you’re trying to do. There’s no daylight in this administration on this on this question, and I’m happy to standing shoulder to shoulder…”
- Rep. Vindman: “So, let’s shift gears. Last time we were here, I asked you if you’d apologize to the mother of an F-18 pilot whose son you endangered for sharing classified information on a Signal chat. You refused. On March 1st, six Army soldiers, including a constituent of mine, were killed by an Iranian drone strike. Do you take any responsibility for those deaths?”
- Secretary Hegseth: “I was there at Dover when they came back. Of course, I take responsibility for every aspect…”
- Rep. Vindman: “Well, I appreciate that, because you also complain about the fact that tragic things happen – the news makes it front-page news, the press only wants to make the president look bad. Is it about the soldiers or is it about the president looking bad?”
- Secretary Hegseth: “It’s not just the president who wants…the media that wants to make him look bad. It’s you.”
- Rep. Vindman: “It’s actually about the soldiers and it’s frankly reprehensible that you would make that statement. And so you know, Truman had a sign on his desk that said ‘the buck stops here’ and this administration is about passing the buck.”
