Democrats came loaded for bear to attack Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

But even Hegseth was stunned by the smears hurled his way.

And Pete Hegseth got called one bad word that left him red with rage.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill about President Trump’s request for $67 billion in funding for the Iran War.

Democrats think they can make political hay out of the rising gas prices that resulted from Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, and retiring Senator Gary Peters wanted to put on a show.

“Prices were lower for everybody until the war, and [the strait] remains closed,” Peters ranted to  Hegseth. “And of course, tragically, people, service members, our war fighters, who we care deeply about, are still dying. So what’s different, Mr. Secretary?”

Hegseth took offense at Peter painting the war as a failure since it insulted the service and sacrifice of the troops.

“I think your characterization of this incredible effort as a failure is reckless, and I think it’s irresponsible, and I think it smears the sacrifice of the troops that are out there making on behalf of the American people to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth fired back.

“Shame on you and others who call this a quagmire and a failure, and then you want to turn around and say you support the warfighter,” Hegseth added. “Either you do, or you don’t.” 

Peters then pivoted to asking Hegseth if Iran still possessed nuclear material, but Hegseth wasn’t going to let Peters get away with disparaging the troops and reiterating President Trump’s goal of never allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.

“I can get you a ticket out to CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] and talk to what those Americans are doing, how committed they are to this effort, and how they want to ensure that Iran never threatens their families with a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth added.

“That’s the kind of intensity that our warfighters have about making sure that Iran isn’t capable of doing that,” Hegseth continued.

Peters then flew off the handle and stammered about how what he meant was that Trump and Hegseth were the failures. 

“I will tell you how I used the word ‘failure,’ because I used the word ‘failure’ to their leaders,” Peters shouted. “You, sir, are the failure, not the men and women who are on that front line, not the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction, but if there’s a lack of a winning strategy, they’re in harm’s way. Their leaders have failed them, and that’s what’s happening.” 

Hegseth didn’t back down and fired right back that Peters was the one showing a failure of leadership by not convincing his fellow Democrats to drop their obstruction and vote to fund the troops because he suffered from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

“Why don’t you show some leadership and stand up to your fellow Democrats who won’t fund the troops, who stand and play partisan politics while you don’t give us the money?” Hegseth declared.

“You want to stand up here and talk about the troops? You won’t show any political courage to actually fund our department because you have Trump derangement syndrome and can’t actually commit to anything meaningful,” Hegseth concluded. “So I put this on you, Senator.”

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