Senators Seek Probe After Pentagon Halts Ukraine Weapons Shipments

Several U.S. senators from both parties have expressed serious concerns and called for hearings after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused weapons shipments to Ukraine without informing President Donald Trump or Congress. The freeze, which involved critical air defense weapons, was reversed by Trump following increased Russian attacks, but raised alarms over miscommunication and Pentagon coordination. Senators, including Republicans like Todd Young and Lindsey Graham, criticized Hegseth’s management and stressed the need for oversight to understand who authorized the pause and why key officials were left out of the decision. Democrats, led by Senator Chuck Schumer, condemned Hegseth for jeopardizing Ukraine's defense and emboldening Russian aggression. Some Republican senators described the incident as a 'rookie mistake' or 'a clear goof-up,' while others, such as Senator Thom Tillis, questioned Hegseth's competence to manage the Defense Department. The Senate Armed Services Committee is proposing increased funding and safeguards to ensure continued military assistance to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.