Hegseth sees Americans as ‘the biggest adversary’ as the war in Iran begins its third month

For much of the Democratic Party’s base, there’s anguish and frustration over the party’s lawmakers and the limits of their powers on Capitol Hill. Especially on key issues such as the war in Iran, Democratic officials tend to say the right things, and at least make an effort by forcing occasional votes on measures such as war powers resolutions. But life in the minority is inherently difficult, and the party lacks access to the levers of power.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, has a very different perspective on the potency of congressional Democrats. In fact, he sees them as having vast powers that the party is exercising in dangerous ways.

In a genuinely strange display Wednesday, he appeared before the House Armed Services Committee. The beleaguered Pentagon chief didn’t just clash with Democrats who want to see the unnecessary war in Iran come to an end, he also publicly argued that the war’s opponents have become an obstacle to victory.

“The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats, and some Republicans,” the former Fox News host said. A Politico report noted soon after, “Hegseth’s decision to label critics as short-sighted and unpatriotic pulls a page from President Donald Trump’s playbook: when threatened, attack. But the Defense secretary’s attempt to equate Democrats with enemy troops elevates his rhetoric to a new level.”

A day later, Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee and pushed the same message. The New York Times summarized: