Hegseth testifies Trump doesn't need congressional approval to restart Iran strikes
Primary region US
Tags Security · Policy · Diplomacy
Regions US
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, testifying before Senate Appropriations subcommittees on a record $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, declared that President Trump has full authority under Article II to restart strikes on Iran without congressional approval. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska pressed Hegseth on whether Congress should assert its constitutional war powers, noting that 15,000 US troops remain forward-deployed and 20 warships maintain a naval blockade. Hegseth dismissed concerns about munitions shortages and said the ceasefire paused the 60-day War Powers clock.
Strategic interpretation
Hegseth's categorical rejection of congressional war powers — even in a hearing designed to fund the Pentagon — escalates institutional tensions and may backfire by empowering Republicans like Murkowski and Collins who want to constrain executive overreach. The remark that Trump can restart strikes at will with 'all necessary authorities' undermines the administration's own ceasefire narrative and gives Democrats fresh evidence of an out-of-control executive.