US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to face a second day of intense questioning from Democrats on Capitol Hill, as senators prepare to examine his handling of the Iran war.
The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday will give lawmakers their first chance to directly confront or support Hegseth following a nearly six-hour session a day earlier with the House panel.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Hegseth faced sharp criticism from Democrats—and some Republicans—over the financial cost of the war, casualties and the depletion of key US weapons stockpiles.
At Thursday’s session, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine are expected to present the Trump administration’s proposed 2027 military budget, which would raise defense spending to a record $1.5 trillion. They are likely to emphasise the need for increased investment in drones, missile defence systems and naval capabilities.
Lawmakers are also expected to press Hegseth on US troop deployments in Europe after Donald Trump signalled a possible reduction of American forces in Germany amid tensions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran conflict.
The developments add further political pressure as the administration navigates both the war and broader alliance dynamics.