'Submit letter of resignation': Hakeem Jeffries blasts Pete Hegseth over $80 billion Iran War ask

The White House on Wednesday reportedly asked Congress for $87.6 billion in supplemental spending to cover the costs of the Iran war and a host of other things. While a formal request is yet to be made, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to shore up support, according to the Associated Press. The move has met with strong opposition from Democrats, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanding the Defense Secretary's resignation for what he called the "Operation Epic Failure." 

In a letter from White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, the administration asked Congress for $87.6 billion in supplemental spending to pay for the Iran war and a few other measures, including aid to U.S. farmers and the Ebola response. "I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible," Vought wrote in the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, as per CNBC. The push comes at a time when lawmakers have expressed skepticism over President Donald Trump's Iran deal and the Pentagon's $1.5 trillion budget request. Thus, the Defense Secretary has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill, including Monday evening, to shore up support. 

"When Pete Hegseth comes to Capitol Hill tomorrow, what he should do is submit his letter of resignation," Jeffries told reporters on Wednesday outside the Capitol. He further blamed Trump and Hegseth for the "reckless and costly war of choice" in the Middle East, calling it a disaster for the American people. "The notion that they'll come to Capitol Hill and ask for an additional $80 billion to continue wasting taxpayer money on an endless war in the Middle East is beyond reckless," he added. 

According to CNBC, the request from the White House includes $21 billion for the Defense Department to "support critical capabilities, munitions procurement, and strengthen the U.S. industrial base," about $1.4 billion for Ebola response, and $768 million for the Energy Department for nuclear and other energy security. Earlier in March, shortly after the war started, Hegseth said the Pentagon may request $200 billion to fund the war. As per the publication, the request could put vulnerable Republicans in a difficult position ahead of the 2026 midterm elections if they're forced to vote on additional funds for an unpopular war.  

The push for billions of dollars also comes at a time when the lawmakers are skeptical of the deal Trump struck with Iran and the remarkable $1.5 trillion budget request for the Pentagon. When asked about the supplemental spending request, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he's expecting one, and when it arrives, "we'll work through it and see where the votes are," as per AP. The administration is struggling to convince even GOP lawmakers to back the $1.5 trillion defense budget in addition to tens of billions of dollars to fund the Iran war. Both the President and the Defense Secretary were on Capitol Hill Wednesday to gain support for the request, among other issues, with Hegseth giving a classified briefing to House Republicans before meeting with the House Speaker.