Hegseth Grilled on War Spending, Civilian Deaths

0:00Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth is stepping up to Capitol Hill today for his first congressional grilling since the war with Iran kicked off back in, late February. It's billed as a routine chat on the Pentagon's massive budget request, but it hits just two-day shy of that 60-day deadline under the war powers. Resolution to wrap up the fighting. He's testifying before the House Armed Services Committee today, then the Senate side tomorrow alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Cain. The big ask? $1.5 trillion in defense spending, the fattest check ever for the Pentagon. Up 50% from now, pumping cash into drones, tripling to over $74 billion and $30 billion more for munitions. Lawmakers from both parties are primed to hammer him on civilian deaths in Iran, whether the U.S. was ready for blowback strikes and the whole point of this conflict. Plus, Heet over Hexeth firing or sidelineing two dozen top brass mid-war, including the Army's top officer and Navy Secretary, even blocking, promotions for diverse officers.

1:05The wars burned through half our stocks of key missiles after hitting 13,000 targets in under two months per a new think tank report. That leaves us short for potential future scraps, say with China. And the budget doesn't cover these costs, meaning more money requests ahead. Especially as production lags years behind. With the deadline dropping Friday, Democrats pushes to curb the president's war moves flopped and it's unclear if Trump seeks that extra 30 days. Or if a ceasefire eases the pressurized, stay glued as Hexeth faces the fire. Durham News today, powered by AI bringing you what matters. I'm Corey with The Story.