Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a commanding performance during Wednesday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, triggering a dramatic outburst from Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) after a tense exchange over military leadership decisions.
The hearing, intended to review the Pentagon’s budget request, quickly veered into confrontation when Rosen zeroed in on the dismissal of General Timothy Haugh. The general, removed from his post in April, became a flashpoint in political circles after journalist Laura Loomer publicly claimed to have influenced the decision following a meeting with President Donald Trump.
Rosen opened her questioning with sharp demands. “Were you consulted regarding General Haugh’s dismissal, yes or no?” she asked. Hegseth responded by pushing back on the premise of the question.
“Senator, I would not advise believing everything you read in the media,” he said, before clarifying that he is consulted on every personnel matter and serves at the pleasure of the president.
The senator pressed further: “Did you personally relieve him?” Hegseth acknowledged his role in the decision and offered a principled response. “The president deserves the type of commanders and advisors that he thinks will best equip him to accomplish the mission.”
The exchange escalated when Rosen asked whether Hegseth had communicated with Loomer, a question he chose not to answer. She then attempted to corner him with a binary choice: “Do you believe it is appropriate for any social media personality to influence personnel decisions in your department, yes or no?”
Hegseth declined the framing, responding calmly, “I believe your time is up, Senator,” a remark that triggered an immediate reaction.
“It is not up to you to tell me when my time is up!” Rosen snapped, her voice rising. “You are either feckless or complicit. You are not in control of your department.”
The exchange ended with Rosen decrying what she interpreted as a smirk from the Secretary. “You are unserious… It is a dangerous and pivotal time in our nation’s history,” she concluded, visibly frustrated.
.@SecDef Pete Hegseth: "I believe your time is up, Senator."@SenJackyRosen: "It is not up to you to tell me when my time is up! You're either feckless or complicit. You're not in control of your department...I do not appreciate the smirk, sir. You are the Secretary of Defense." pic.twitter.com/swTjkPCVJX
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 18, 2025