Iran War Fuels GOP Doubts Over Hegseth's Leadership

Confidence in Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is weakening among Republican senators as the conflict with Iran continues with no clear end in sight, according to several GOP lawmakers.

Growing concerns over the war's cost, military strategy and leadership have prompted criticism from within President Donald Trump's own party.

Republican concerns grow over Pentagon leadership

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he no longer has confidence in Hegseth, accusing him of lacking experience managing large organisations, micromanaging the Pentagon and forcing out respected military leaders. Tillis argued that these decisions had undermined the Department of Defense and suggested other Republican senators were close to voicing similar concerns.

Another Republican senator, speaking anonymously, said reports from inside the Pentagon pointed to a broader loss of confidence in Hegseth among senior military officials, concerns that had spread to Capitol Hill.

Strategy and costs under scrutiny

Some Republican lawmakers have questioned whether the administration underestimated Iran's response to the conflict. They cited the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up global oil and gas prices since February, and Iran's willingness to strike neighbouring countries including Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The expansion of fighting into the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi militants have targeted Saudi oil shipments, has also raised concerns that the Pentagon failed to anticipate the wider regional impact.

Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticised the recent departures of senior military officers during a hearing on emergency defence funding. She described the loss of experienced commanders as "deeply troubling" and said she wanted more information from the administration about its overall strategy and objectives for the war.

A second Republican senator said there were increasing "rumblings" about possible strategic miscalculations, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's ability to threaten neighbouring states.

Some Republicans back stronger military action

Despite the criticism, several Republican defence hawks continue to support the administration's approach and argue that stronger military action could still achieve US objectives.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker urged Trump to "finish the job" by increasing the intensity of military strikes. Sen. John Cornyn argued that the United States had the military capability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without making major concessions to Tehran, saying a decisive outcome was needed to avoid a prolonged conflict.

However, frustration has grown as the war has continued for nearly five months, far longer than Trump's earlier prediction that it would last only four or five weeks.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said she believed the American public was becoming increasingly weary of the conflict.

Funding battle looms in Congress

Republican lawmakers have also expressed concern over the financial cost of the war. Hegseth recently told lawmakers the conflict had cost $37.5 billion, while independent estimates from Moody Analytics put the figure at more than $132 billion.

Sen. Joni Ernst said many members of Congress remained concerned about defence spending and wanted greater transparency from the Pentagon regarding the war's costs.

The administration is seeking approval for an additional $73 billion in military funding through the budget reconciliation process, but several Republican senators have warned there is currently insufficient GOP support to guarantee its passage. The effort is further complicated by the absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has not voted since June because of health issues.

Tillis also questioned whether the removal of senior military leaders had weakened strategic planning, arguing experienced commanders might have better anticipated Iran's ability to disrupt shipping through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait while mobilising Houthi forces in the Red Sea.

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28 July 2026

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