Hegseth Trips Up, Makes Trump Look Bad With GOP

Senate Republicans are voicing growing concern that the Trump administration has yet to outline a clear strategy for ending the military conflict with Iran, warning that mounting U.S. casualties and rising gas prices could become major political liabilities ahead of the midterm elections.

The concerns intensified after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday to request an additional $80 billion in emergency funding for the ongoing conflict. While many Republicans support providing the Pentagon with more resources, several lawmakers said they left the hearing frustrated by what they described as a lack of clarity about how the administration intends to bring the war to a close.

Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) said lawmakers are looking for a realistic “off-ramp” from the conflict, noting that the recent deaths of three U.S. service members have only heightened concerns. Justice also pointed to reports estimating that between 1,700 and more than 3,000 Iranian civilians have been killed, saying civilian casualties are both a humanitarian tragedy and politically damaging on the global stage.

Justice argued the administration ultimately faces two choices: withdraw and accept the risks or stay committed until Iran can no longer develop a nuclear weapon. However, he urged caution after President Trump warned that the U.S. could target Iranian civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Iran continues attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Justice said military strikes aimed at disrupting supply routes may be justified, but emphasized he does not believe Trump would intentionally target hospitals or other purely civilian facilities.

Behind closed doors, some Republican senators are reportedly increasingly uneasy about the economic consequences of the conflict. One GOP senator, speaking anonymously, said soaring gasoline prices have become a major concern for Republican candidates heading into November, adding that while many Republicans remain publicly supportive of the administration, privately they recognize the political risks. Oil prices climbed again after Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Iran was not seriously negotiating an end to the conflict.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) echoed calls for a faster resolution, saying the administration must find a way to wrap up the war while maintaining its objective of preventing Iran from obtaining weapons-grade uranium. Democrats have continued attacking the administration’s handling of the conflict, arguing Trump has failed to significantly weaken Iran’s military capabilities or restore stability to the Strait of Hormuz.

Some Republicans have also questioned whether the war has achieved its intended goals. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who opposed military action from the beginning, argued the region is now less secure than before the conflict began. He pointed to the increased militarization of the Strait of Hormuz as evidence that the situation has worsened and warned there is no easy path to reversing those developments.

Others believe the administration should intensify military operations instead of seeking a quicker exit. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) argued that the current cycle of retaliatory strikes is unlikely to produce a lasting outcome and said the United States should use its military advantage to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pressure Iran into a permanent agreement.

Several Republican lawmakers said they are still waiting for detailed classified briefings that would provide a clearer picture of the administration’s long-term strategy. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Tuesday’s hearing answered some questions but left many unresolved, particularly regarding the overall plan and the consequences of failing to adequately fund military operations.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) also called for additional classified briefings, saying lawmakers need more complete information from the administration. Kennedy added that one of his biggest concerns is whether the Pentagon could begin running short of funding if the conflict continues for an extended period, a worry that has been echoed by several other Republican senators.