'Reckless naysayers': Hegseth calls out Democratic lawmakers as he defends Trump's military budget

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the Trump administration’s military budget and national security strategy during congressional testimony on Thursday, April 30, arguing the spending plan is essential to maintaining US military strength amid growing global threats.

Hegseth said the budget includes funding to modernize military capabilities and provide higher pay for service members, while also defending the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran.

The hearing also focused on questions over congressional authorization for military action, leadership changes at the Pentagon, and broader concerns over the direction of defense policy. 

Pete Hegseth says defense budget will maintain military strength

In his testimony, Hegseth argued that the proposed military budget is designed to preserve US military superiority while adapting to a changing threat environment.

“This budget will ensure that the United States continues to maintain the world’s most powerful and capable military as we grapple with a complex threat environment across multiple theaters... (it) also includes a historic troop pay increase, 7% for junior enlisted,” Hegseth said.

He said the administration’s military priorities differ sharply from previous Pentagon leadership, arguing that the department is now focused on operational effectiveness and combat readiness. 

“Members on this committee and the previous leadership of this department were focused on social engineering, race, and gender in ways that we think were unhealthy for the department,” Hegseth said. “In POTUS' War Department, we make decisions based on only one thing: merit.”

Hegseth also highlighted what he described as improved morale and recruitment across the armed forces under the Trump administration.

“I would encourage every member of this committee, Democrat or Republican—go into the formations... and what you will find are men and women more inspired to serve in the military than they have been in a generation,” he said, adding that recruiting numbers had increased significantly.

Iran war authority and Pentagon leadership changes draw scrutiny

Lawmakers also questioned Hegseth over the administration’s legal authority to continue military operations against Iran, with Senator Tim Kaine pressing him on whether the White House would seek congressional authorization once the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution expires.

Hegseth said the current ceasefire with Iran alters that timeline. “Ultimately, I would defer to the White House and White House counsel on that however, we are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire,” Hegseth said.

Kaine disputed that interpretation, warning that the legal deadline may still be approaching.

Hegseth also defended Trump’s handling of Iran, saying the administration’s strategy was aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“President Trump has had the courage, unlike other presidents, to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” he said.

He criticized lawmakers opposing the operation, describing them as undermining military efforts. “The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless naysayers and defeatist words of Congressional Democrats, and some Republicans,” Hegseth said.

The defense secretary was further pressed on recent Pentagon leadership shakeups, including the dismissal of senior military officials.

Hegseth said such decisions are part of broader institutional changes. “We will continue to make changes as necessary with general officers,” he said.