WASHINGTON — A heated exchange erupted between U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs at a congressional hearing on the Iran war, in which she questioned President Donald Trump’s mental fitness. Jacobs also asked whether questions should be raised about Hegseth’s own fitness.
Jacobs, who represents San Diego, California, in Congress, posted a five-minute video clip of the question-and-answer session on her verified X account and YouTube channel. The hearing took place Thursday at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on a budget proposal before the House Armed Services Committee.
Addressing Hegseth, Jacobs said about 2,500 Marines from San Diego are currently stationed off the coast of Iran. Many service members’ families are regularly expressing concerns, raising questions about the president’s mental fitness and his qualification as commander in chief, she said.
In the published video, Jacobs cited several of Trump’s social media posts during her remarks, including threats to Iran using language she described as unprintable, as well as threats to destroy civilization. She then asked Hegseth: “Mr. Secretary, you spend most of your time with the president. The lives of my constituents are now at stake. Do you believe the president is mentally stable enough to serve as commander in chief?”
In response, Hegseth angrily asked back: “Did you ask the same question of Joe Biden over the past four years?” Jacobs replied: “Mr. Secretary, Joe Biden is not the president now. Mr. Trump has been in office for a year and a half. I am asking you.”
Hegseth then offered effusive praise of Trump, saying: “The current president is the most intelligent and visionary commander in chief we have had in generations.”
At one point in the exchange, Jacobs cited the number of U.S. service members killed in the Iran war. Thirteen U.S. troops have already been killed and more than 380 wounded in the current war, she said. She added that the once-open Strait of Hormuz is now nearly closed, that Iran’s rulers remain in power, and that they still have nuclear equipment.
Addressing Hegseth, Jacobs said: “If you think this is what victory looks like, then your mental stability should also be questioned.” She added: “Perhaps you are the one responsible for this failure, and the president should consider removing you from your post.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report