(Washington) The United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seemed to recognize that the Pentagon had developed plans to take control of Greenland and Panama by force, if necessary. However, he refused to answer repeated questions during a very lively parliamentary audience on Thursday regarding its use of signal discussions to talk about military operations.
Democratic members of the Armed Forces Commission of the House of Representatives of the United States had a stormy exchange with Mr. Hegseth. The most difficult questions came from veterans who demanded precise answers, while the latter tried to avoid responding directly about his role as leader of the Pentagon.
During an exchange, Mr. Hegseth gave a surprising response. Representative Adam Smith, Washington Democrat, asked if the Pentagon had developed plans to take Greenland or Panama if necessary.
Photo J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press Archives
The Secretary of Defense of the United States, Pete Hegseth
“Our work in the Department of Defense consists in providing plans for any possibility,” he said on several occasions.
It is not unusual that the Pentagon develops emergency plans for conflicts that have not yet occurred, but its way of answering questions prompted a republican legislator to intervene a few minutes later.
“You do not testify today that there are plans in the Pentagon to take by force or invade Greenland, right?” Asked the representative Mike Turner, a republican of Ohio.
While the Secretary of Defense began to repeat his response on the emergency plans, Mr. Turner added with emphasis: “I really hope it is not your testimony. »»
“We are impatient to work with Greenland to guarantee its security in the face of any potential threat,” said Hegseth.
Really, legislators have pressed Mr. HegSeth to answer questions he had avoided for months, including in the two days of previous hearings in the Capitol. Finally, frustration reached its climax.
“You are a shame for this country. You are not able to direct, launched the representative Salud Carbajal. You’d better get out. »»
The Republican legislators have apologized several times to Mr. Hegseth for the harsh remarks of the Democrats, saying that he should not be subject to such a “blatant lack of respect”. He argued that he was “happy to wipe critics” to make difficult decisions and do what is best.
Use of signal discussions
Questions arise on the discussions on signal and the confidential nature of the information shared by Mr. Hegseth.
The use by Mr. Hegseth of two signal discussions to discuss American attack plans against the Houthi rebels in Yemen with other American leaders as well as with family members gave rise to dizzying exchanges with the legislators.
He was questioned several times about whether he had shared classified information and he should be accountable if he had done so.
Mr. Hegseth argued that the classification mentions of any information relating to these military operations could not be discussed with the legislators.
It quickly turned out to be a trap, because Mr. Hegseth said that nothing he had published – on the hours of strikes and ammunition dropped in March – was classified. His interlocutor, the representative Seth Moulton, a democrat of Massachusetts and former navy, jumped on this contradiction.
“You can very well reveal whether this information was classified or not,” said Mr. Moulton.
“What is not classified is that it was an incredible and successful mission,” replied Mr. Hegseth.
A Pentagon report on its signal use is expected soon.
Mr. Moulton asked Mr. Hegseth if he would assume his responsibilities if the Inspector General discovered that he had published classified information on signal, an application available in the trade.
Mr. Hegseth did not respond directly, contenting himself with note that he was used “at the discretion of the president”.
The place of women in combat
Pete Hegseth was also asked about uniform women’s policies and transgender soldiers.
Mr. Hegseth is committed to an animated debate on the question of whether women and transgender soldiers should serve in the army or occupy combat posts.
He said he worked to suppress diversity programs and politically correct of the army. He added that he had not politicized the army, but that he simply wanted to dispose of the most competent troops.
Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Democrat of Pennsylvania, asked Mr. Hegseth if he thought that men and women were able to press the trigger, kill, drive a drone or launch a missile.
“It depends on the context,” developed Mr. Hegseth, women wear their equipment differently, a cartridge of 155 differently, a backpack differently “.
He had already said that women should not be used for combat, and said women had joined the army in record numbers under the Trump administration. He said military standards should be raised and equitable.
“Greenland is not for sale”
Democrats also wondered about the action plans against Greenland and Panama.
President Donald Trump said repeatedly wanting to take control of Greenland, a strategic island nation rich in minerals, a long-standing ally of the United States. These declarations have been categorically rejected by Greenlandic leaders. “Greenland is not for sale,” said Jacob Isbosethsethsen, the Greenland representative in the United States on Thursday, during a forum in Washington sponsored by the Arctic Institute.
Anxious not to betray the Pentagon control over his usual efforts to plan everything, Mr. Hegseth elected the direct question of Mr. Smith, sowing confusion.
“On behalf of the American people, I do not think he voted for President Trump because he hoped that we invaded Greenland,” said Smith.
With information from David Klepper from the Associated Press
