Hegseth Cracks during Cross-Examination over War

20:22Ben Meiselas:their conventional shield was brought to the field, which we've done. If I could get to it. More cross-examination here from Democratic Congress member Adam Smith of Hegsif, where Smith's like, how are you just so wrong on Ukraine? Right. 14 months ago, didn't you say that Ukraine was going to be completely conquered by Russia so they better make the best deal they could? Like you're objectively don't know what you're talking about. How do you square that to which Hanks is like, Joe Biden, Joe Biden, Joe Biden? What does Joe Biden have to do with any of it? Makes no sense. Here play this clip.

20:56Ben Meiselas:So on Ukraine, a year plus ago, your advice, the president's advice was Ukraine had no cards to play. they should go cut the best possible deal they could. Clearly that was wrong. What did you miss? What did you miss about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that you didn't see that Ukraine was going to be capable of doing what they've done in the last 14 months? What we didn't miss, and we're hearing this committee, is that Joe Biden, with no accountability, gave hundreds of billions of dollars of our weapons to Ukraine to an outcome that never would have happened if President Trump was president.

21:29So he pulled out our, you guys don't talk about that. Ultimately, President Trump believes there's a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. But you didn't expect Ukraine to be where they're at right now. I'm asking you just from a strategic standpoint. I think the Ukrainians have shown great courage and I appreciate that Europe is now paying for the weapons that we provide. All right. I yield back. Thank you.

21:49Ben Meiselas:And we heard from Democratic Congress member Ro Khanna, who questioned Hegseth about the costs of this war. And Hegseth just found it funny. Hegseth was laughing that you and all the American people out there and people throughout the world are suffering economically because of Donald Trump and this despicable war. Play this clip. How much did it cost American taxpayers in terms of the strike to the Iranian school where kids were killed? You have that number in terms of the missiles we used. As I've said, that unfortunate situation remains under investigation. You don't know how much it costs, but I wouldn't tie a cost to that to anything.

22:27It's a reasonable question. No, sir. I mean, our taxpayer money was going there. Do you know how much it will cost Americans in terms of their increased cost in gas and food over the next year because of the Iran war? I would simply ask you what the cost is of an Iranian nuclear bomb. I'm going to give you that. I would simply ask you what the. You're playing gotcha questions about domestic things. I'm not. You're asking. You're saying it's a gotcha question to ask what it's going to be in terms of the increased. Why won't you answer what it costs to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb? I give you that, sir.

22:59But let me. What would it cost? What would you pay to ensure Iran doesn't get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay? Can I reclaim my time? Do you not know? You had no one do the analysis of what the increased cost of gas and food on the American people are going to be? What is the cost of Iran holding that straight at issue with nuclear weapons? It's$631 billion, which means it's an increase of$5 ,000 a year for American households. Now, let me give you this point. You're saying that your operation is preventing a nuclear Iran. will you acknowledge that there is an economic cost to the american people for doing what you believe is necessary to make iran uh denuclear will you acknowledge the economic cost we have an incredible economic team that's managing this better than yeah but what the previous administration did for our economy you acknowledge the previous administration did for the inflation you know what's upsetting my time and you're gonna lecture this administration about the economy me you know what is upsetting credible you didn't even do the analysis on how much it's costing the american people it's one thing if you said okay it cost the american people five thousand dollars but we think it's worth it uh that's what we've done in world war ii and other wars here's what it costs you got to pay for it you don't even know what the average american is paying you don't know what we paid in terms of the missiles that hit the iranian school you don't know what we're paying in terms of gas you don't know what we're paying in terms of food your 25 billion number is totally off.

24:23It's the incompetence.

24:25Ben Meiselas:You think that's a gotcha question? Hey, God, ask the Americans right now who can't afford gas, can't afford groceries, whose house may just about to be in foreclosure, who may be evicted. Tell them that's a gotcha question, Hanks. If more cross-examination here from Ro Khanna, let's play it. Because you said you won't get us into bad wars. You said you wouldn't. You would bring down the prices. You know what I'm sad for? I'm sad for all the people who voted for Trump. I'm sad for them because you betrayed them. You've betrayed a lot of that MAGA base. And you know who knows that? J.D. Vance knows that.

24:58That's why I recognize

25:00Ben Meiselas:this gentleman from Nebraska, Mr. Bacon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Then under some questioning from Congresswoman Takuda, Hegs said that Los Angeles would have been on fire last summer if the military didn't intervene. We would have been on fire here. I'm in Los Angeles. We would not have been on fire. We were perfectly beautiful. We didn't need you here. In fact, you made things horrible like you did throughout the rest of the country, you fascists. Here, play this clip. 50 years ago. Okay. Very good. All right. Well, Secretary Hex said, if President Trump ordered you to deploy troops to polling places during the midterm elections this fall, which would violate the law I just cited, would you implement his order?

25:41Yes or no? What you're trying to insinuate is that the president would give unlawful orders and we would somehow deploy troops as a result. And the evidence of our department is that we've worked alongside law enforcement very effectively for 15 months. Los Angeles would have been on fire for the summer had we not come across. I disagree with that, but this is not a hypothetical situation that I'm inferring on your president in January of this year. Told the New York Times that he regretted not ordering the National Guard to seize voting machines in key states after the 2020 election.

26:09Ben Meiselas:More questioning from Takuda right here. Let's play this clip. Voting places was 250 years ago. We're talking 2020. So if the president, again, I'm asking you, orders you to break election law, violate the Constitution and the law, would you follow the orders of the president? Yes or no? The president, you like to insinuate that the president issues. It's a simple question. Who would you follow, the president or the Constitution? I will note that in 2024, troops were, Joe Biden, by the way, Joe Biden, were deployed to polling locations in 15 states. 2024, Joe Biden, troops deployed to polling locations in 15 states.

26:45Explain that one to me. I am asking you a question now. You seem to really like Joe Biden. You've brought his name up more than many other topics today. Answer the question.

26:55Ben Meiselas:Really, Hegseth? Biden put army, put the army in polling locations? I mean, these people live in their fake dystopian world that just doesn't exist. And they want us to conform to all of their lies. It's such garbage. There's such garbage humans, these people. More cross-examination from Takuda right here. Let's play it. Answer the question. Who are you beholden to, Mr. Secretary? The president or the Constitution? Well, I'm very proud. If you can't answer that question. I'm very proudly served as president. I'm very proudly swearing oath to defend the Constitution. In Los Angeles, he couldn't answer that either.

27:29So I think our answer is very clear. Obviously, you have taken a lot of loyalty only to the president and not the people of this country.

27:36Ben Meiselas:Then we got additional questioning from Democratic Congress member Moulton, where it has what Hegseth is asked if he considered the risk of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of time. Watch his response. Play this clip. Of military options that are carefully considered with the associated risks with those options and the considerations therein. So, Mr. Secretary, did you consider this risk? Of course, this department has looked at all aspects of this risk. And then why did you send the minesweepers, the only minesweepers we had in the Gulf, to Singapore weeks before the war started? We have lots of capabilities that you may or may not be aware of at the classified level.

28:15OK, and so, by the way, would the Trump class battleships have helped with this? You're talking about a prospective future battleship, which we welcome in the fleet. Okay, so you're supportive of the battleships? Yes, sir.

28:28Ben Meiselas:Okay. Then under questioning from Congresswoman Strickland, Hegseth repeatedly refuses to explain why General Randy George was removed from his position in the middle of the war. Why would you remove a four-star Army Chief of Staff, one of the most beloved people in our military, if not the most beloved? Were you jealous of him? You pathetic, you pathetic stooge, you. Here, play this clip. No one is disputing that senior officers serve at the pleasure of civilian leadership. The issue in front of this is whether the decision to remove General Randy George strengthened the Army or created an avoidable disruption during an active operational period.

29:05General George, who also served as commanding general at First Corps at JBLM, has been serving for four decades, including multiple command and operational leadership roles, culminating as chief of staff of the Army, responsible for readiness, force modernization, and the welfare of over a million soldiers and civilians. He was removed in the middle of an active conflict involving U.S. operations against Iran, when leadership continuity is most critical. Public reporting indicates that General George's removal may have followed disagreements over Army personnel matters, including concerns regarding withheld promotions.

29:41So my question, Secretary, is this. What specific national security risk, mission risk, or leadership concern did General George present that justified removing him in the middle of a conflict, or was he removed because he challenged some decisions being made? as i stated earlier out of respect to these officers i don't discuss the nature of the removal but i would i would ask an earnest question of you where does general george fall in the operational chain of command so i'm asking you why did you fire him don't change you talked about you talked about an operational moment where does general george fall in the option no it's a simple question you're on the house arm's service committee leadership concern what did he present that justified removing him in the middle of a conflict do you know where general george serves in the operational chain of command so ma 'am you may ask you my question one more time sir don't try to flip it on me why was he removed was he a national security risk mission risk or leadership concern we don't yes or no we don't talk about the nature of you also won't answer where he is in the operational chain of command because he isn't in it he isn't in the operational chain lady reclaims your time you want to tie it to the war but you don't know where he is in the command it's the gentlelady from washington's time

30:54Ben Meiselas:then congresswoman jacobs just went off on him let's play it the same courage that democrats had mr secretary you keep saying that he is the best commander in chief we've ever had the best to the troops 13 american troops have died more than 380 have been wounded the strait of hormuz which was wide open is now closed less than 90 percent of traffic through the strait is still not going despite the ceasefire the iranian regime is still in power it still has nuclear material The war is costing Americans billions of dollars. And Mr. Secretary, if you think that this is what winning looks like, then maybe we should be questioning your mental stability.

31:34Maybe you are the one responsible for this failure and the president should think about replacing you. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. The lady yields back.

31:41Ben Meiselas:I recognize the lady from Virginia, Miss Kiggins. Hanks had refused to explain Donald Trump's Jesus post. Let's play it. Well, I want you to know this is not a partisan thing. In fact, many, many Democrats have had many, many Republicans have had these same questions. Marjorie Taylor Greene said he's out of control and he's gone insane. Candace Owens said the 25th Amendment needs to be invoked. Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, who used to work with Alex Jones, Stephanie Grisham, the lifts could go on. So how do I explain to my constituents that while they are in harm's way, their commander in chief is posting these unhinged posts?

32:19I'm not asking you about the previous administration. How did you explain to your constituents what happened on October or what happened in Afghanistan or what happened with the debacle and the withdrawal in Afghanistan where the troops were left? How did you explain that to Joe Biden's leadership? How did you explain that to the Marines that didn't get medals, that we restored their medals because of that disastrous withdrawal in Afghanistan? Did you explain that to your constituents when Joe Biden was asleep at the wheel and he had an AWOL secretary of defense? Okay, Mr. Secretary, how about this next post?

32:43How can I explain this next post to my constituents?

32:50I'm Jewish, so this doesn't really bother me, but my understanding is that this is quite offensive to many Christians. So how do you explain this post? I'm not here to explain posts. We have an incredible commander in chief who puts our troops first. I'm here for a budget hearing about our troops. It's a historic budget that's giving us a chance to defeat our adversaries, and President Trump is doing that in world-class fashion. This is about our troops. General ladies, reclaimed your time, Mr. Secretary. This is about our troops. This is about who is commanding our troops and if our troops can trust that they are being sent into harm's way under good strategy.

33:25The mental stability of our commander in chief is deeply important to our troops. It's deeply important to this country. It is. It wasn't important to you during Joe Biden. I'll remind you that when there were concerns, Democrats came together and he was not our nominee for president. So I encourage you to do have the same courage that Democrats had.

33:44Ben Meiselas:But Hegsson says, oh, Donald Trump is the sharpest commander in chief we've had in generations play this clip. So, Mr. Secretary, you are with the president a lot. And it pains me to even have to ask this about our president. But my constituents lives are at stake. Do you believe that the president is mentally stable enough to be the commander in chief? Did you ask the same question of Joe Biden for four years? Mr. Secretary, Joe Biden is not the president. Mr. Trump has been president for a year and a half and I'm asking you did not and I won't even engage with the level of disparagement that you're putting on the commander in chief who indeed is I mean every I mean Mr.

34:23Secretary single day Mr. Secretary Biden is not the president most insightful commander in chief we've had in generations and you want to compare I mean you want to ask that question after you and your fellow Democrats defended Joe Biden who could barely speak and Mr. Secretary, as you know, as you know, auto pen when a secretary of defense who went AWOL for a week. I can't be gone for 10 days. I will. I will reclaim my time. Ladies, ladies time.

34:46Ben Meiselas:There was some other line of questioning also to some of the other individuals at that table. That's worth pointing out, like when the undersecretary of defense, basically the comptroller, wouldn't answer if he had signal. And then General Cain said that he had signal on his phone, but wouldn't say. but then he wanted to change his answer well maybe i have it on my personal i don't know if i have it on my military like all these people are so freaking compromised play this clip mr hearse do you have signal on your phone i'm sorry why is this relevant do you have signal on your phone what does this have to do with the budget i'm gonna take that as a yes um mr kane sorry general kane do you have signal on your phone i do sir yes okay so i want to talk about signal Now, last year, the secretary and other administration officials discussed sensitive and almost certainly classified information about a strike in Yemen using the unclassified Signal app.

35:43Mr. White, what's the current policy for Signal on official DoD devices? I'm the comptroller. I don't do CIO work. So therefore, it is allowed? Is that your statement that it is now allowed to have Signal on your device? Mr. White said my statement is I run the budget for DoD. Yeah. Okay. Okay, well, he's got it on his phone, so therefore it must be permitted. Toronto, I got to go back and look if it's on my official phone. I was talking about my personal phone. I'm not exactly sure. I'll go back and look, though. Okay. Last month, FBI Director Kash Patel made a public announcement that Russian hackers are targeting signal app users in the government, specifically stated they were targeting individuals of high intelligence value, including current and former U.S.

36:26government officials. I hope that it is not official policy that you can have signal on your official phones. And I would love to get a response from the department on that.

36:37Ben Meiselas:And then Secretary Hanks had said he was the one who terminated the investigation into the Apache helicopter pilots who fly Kid Rock around. Seems like on a daily basis now, these Apache helicopters are with Kid Rock. So demented, so deranged, so corrupt. Play this clip. An investigation was launched by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Command Leadership. But before that review is completed on March 31st, you terminated it via social media posts. Did you personally direct termination of that review? I did. OK. Now, the president said they probably shouldn't have been doing it and that I'd take a look at it.

37:15So did you talk to the president before terminating that review? Well, I don't relay what I talk about. Okay, I think unfortunately that means that you did talk to him, which in turn means that you've just confirmed the president himself overruled the leadership of the 101st Airborne. Mr. Secretary, you yourself have affirmed repeatedly the need for higher standards and higher accountability at every level of your agency. Commanders rely on established processes to uphold these standards. How does canceling a command-initiated review by the 101st Airborne leadership support a culture of accountability?

37:46Actually, I think I'll ask that of the chairman. sir um back to my earlier comments about the importance in my role of staying in the middle um what you're alluding to is in my assessment with deep respect for your ask is a partisan question and i think it would be inappropriate for me to answer that mr sir i actually don't think it is i think it is actually a fundamental principle of accountability in our department and and i think it was the wrong decision i'm going to close by just saying one thing mr secretary you started this hearing by politicizing it.

38:18Ben Meiselas:There you have it, folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. You may think that you're subscribed, but double check that you're actually subscribed and help us hit 7 million subscribers. Thank you all so much for watching. We appreciate you so much. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our sub stack at MidasPlus.com. You'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad-free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content only available at MidasPlus.com.

38:45There aren't many guarantees in life. Your energy won't always show up. Your genes won't always fit. But I promise you this. If Just Thrive Probiotic doesn't work for you, I'll refund every penny. Hi, I'm Tina, Just Thrive co-founder. And while most probiotics die in your stomach acid, Just Thrive is clinically proven to arrive 100 % alive for gut health results you could feel. better digestion, less bloat, healthy immunity, improved sleep, and clear skin. Take the Just Thrive probiotic challenge today. Visit justthrivehealth.com slash podcast. Take control today with Just Thrive. Hi, this is Dave Musial, owner of Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electric.

39:25When emergencies happen, who do you call? Broken pipe? Power outage? Furnace failure? No hot water? The answer's always the same. Call Four Seasons. We guarantee same-day service and installation on all heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical needs, with no extra charge for nights, weekends, or holidays. That's why over 30 ,000 customers have given us a five-star Google review. For all the right reasons, call 866-4SEASONS. There aren't many guarantees in life. Your energy won't always show up, your genes won't always fit, but I promise you this. If Just Thrive Probiotic doesn't work for you, I'll refund every penny.

40:01Hi, I'm Tina, Just Thrive co-founder. And while most probiotics die in your stomach acid, Just Thrive is clinically proven to arrive 100 % alive for gut health results you could feel. Better digestion, less bloat, healthy immunity, improved sleep, and clear skin. Take the Just Thrive probiotic challenge today. Visit justthrivehealth.com slash podcast. Take control today with Just Thrive. Hi, this is Dave Musial, owner of Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electric. and I want to guarantee you a breakdown-free winner. Did you know that a dirty furnace costs more to operate and can lead to higher utility bills and untimely breakdowns?

40:39Now is the time to schedule your Four Seasons Furnace Tune-Up and save$50. A Four Seasons Furnace Tune-Up includes a 35-point inspection, complete cleaning, and we calibrate every component of your furnace. So call today. For all the right reasons, call 866-FOUR-SEASONS.