US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed today at a congressional hearing that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force.
Democratic members of the House Armed Services Committee repeatedly engaged in heated arguments with Hegseth, and he tried to avoid direct answers about his actions.
After Democratic Representative Adam Smith from Washington asked whether the Pentagon had made plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if necessary, Hegseth said that "our job at the Department of Defense is to have plans for every contingency."
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to control the strategically important, mineral-rich Greenland. Those statements have been met with categorical rejection by Greenlandic leaders, as well as Denmark.
Republican lawmakers have apologized to Hegseth on several occasions for the Democrats' harsh comments, saying he should not be subjected to such "flagrant disrespect." Hegseth said he is "happy to accept the responsibility" to make tough decisions and do what is best.
Hegseth's use of Signal Chat to discuss plans for U.S. strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen with other American leaders, as well as members of his family, has sparked a backlash from lawmakers. He has been repeatedly pressed on whether he shared classified information and whether he should face accountability if he did.
Hegseth argued that the classification of any information about those military operations cannot be discussed with lawmakers. A report from the Pentagon's oversight body on its use of Signal is expected soon.
Hegseth has engaged in a heated debate about whether women and transgender members of the military should serve in the military or in combat duty. He said he has worked to remove diversity and political correctness programs from the military. He said he has not politicized the military, but simply wants the most capable soldiers.
Hegseth, who has previously said that women should not serve in combat, argued that women have joined the military in record numbers under the Trump administration. He said the military's "standards should be high and equal for all."
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