Tensions Rise on Capitol Hill as Defense Secretary Spars with Democrats Over Budget Briefings A growing rift between the White House and Congressional Democrats has emerged over the Pentagon's handling of sensitive defense briefings. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has come under fire from Republican lawmakers for excluding Democrats from closed-door sessions on Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion military budget increase. The move has sparked concerns that Hegseth's approach could jeopardize the passage of the record-breaking budget, which has already faced opposition from some lawmakers. As the budget continues to make its way through Congress, the standoff between Hegseth and Democrats is set to become a major point of contention in the US politics landscape.
Republican lawmakers express concern after US defense secretary repeatedly excluded Democrats from briefingsUS politics live – latest updatesRepublican senators have criticized the Pentagon for locking Democrats out of classified briefings on defense spending, warning that Pete Hegseth’s approach could jeopardize passage of Donald Trump’s record $1.5tn military budget increase.The US defense secretary has made at least two trips to Capitol Hill in recent weeks to pitch the budget, but has repeatedly excluded Democrats from the closed-door sessions, according to lawmakers from both parties. Continue reading...
