Trump Sidelines Hegseth Amid Israel-Iran Tensions

As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, President Trump has reportedly sidelined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, relying instead on more seasoned advisers for guidance. During recent Senate hearings, Hegseth faced tough questions from Democratic senators about the administration's approach to military authority, the firing of top security officials, and the potential use of force against protesters. Hegseth stated the Pentagon is prepared to follow presidential directives regarding Iran but provided few operational details. The situation escalated further as Iran released footage of its hypersonic Fattah-1 missile being fired at Israel. Lawmakers criticized the administration for a lack of transparency in the proposed $1 trillion defense budget and raised concerns about the role of political and social media figures in security decisions. The U.S. has increased its defensive support for Israel, deploying significant military assets to the region in response to Israeli requests.