Hegseth clashes with Democrats over Iran war, Pentagon firings 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with Democrats throughout a House hearing on Wednesday, with tensions flaring over the Iran war, the Pentagon’s whopping $1.5 trillion budget request and his ouster of top military officials. 

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), a former Air Force officer and member of the Armed Services Committee, pressed Hegseth on his firing of Gen. Randy George, the widely respected Army chief of staff. 

“Why did he get fired?” Houlahan asked. 

“First of all, I thank them for their service, and ultimately —” Hegseth responded before Houlahan cut in. 

“My impression is you thanked him by a text or a phone call. You didn’t even do it to his face,” she said. 

“Out of respect for these officers. We never talk about the nature of their removal,” he replied. 

“However, I will note it’s very difficult to change the culture of a department that has been destroyed by the wrong perspective,” he added. 

“You have no way of explaining why you fired one of the most decorated or remarkable men,” Houlahan said, “and your answer is a very immature way of responding to my........

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