Kaine presses Hegseth on War Powers deadline as Iran conflict hits 60 days
The Capitol Verdict video presents heavily edited clips from a Senate hearing featuring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defending U.S. military operations against Iran that began February 28, 2026. Democrats including Sens. Tim Kaine, Elizabeth Warren, and Kirsten Gillibrand pressed him on compliance with the War Powers Resolution's 60-day limit, civilian casualties from strikes (including a school hit killing over 120 children), alleged insider trading ahead of Trump announcements, and public opposition to the war costing billions. Hegseth emphasized mission success against Iranian nuclear ambitions, missile capabilities, and naval forces, disputed personal allegations from his past, and defended operational security and civilian-protection measures. Sourcing mixed named senators and Hegseth statements with references to classified briefings, news reports on trading and strikes, and an ethics agreement. The video's throughline is Democratic criticism of an unauthorized, costly war causing civilian harm and possible profiteering, framed as exposing administration failures.
Source: Capitol Verdict