Hegseth criticized for locking Democrats out of closed-door defense budget talks

Republican lawmakers have expressed concern after the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, repeatedly excluded Democrats from classified briefings on defense spending. This approach is seen as potentially jeopardizing the passage of Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion increase in military budget. The defense secretary has made multiple trips to Capitol Hill in recent weeks to present the budget, but has consistently barred Democrats from these closed-door sessions, according to lawmakers from both parties.

Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina argued that Hegseth's exclusion was undermining his efforts, stating that Hegseth claimed to be the "secretary of war" but was unwilling to engage with nearly half of the Senate. Much of the defense budget next year will still require Democratic votes, even if Republicans manage to pass part of the package under the reconciliation process.

Senate Democrats have threatened to boycott the funding bills, meaning Hegseth's exclusion could backfire on the administration's spending priorities this fall.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, stated that the Department of Defense remains committed to working with Congress to ensure warfighters have the necessary resources. Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota had personally raised the issue of engaging Democrats, stating that their inclusion is needed to bring them up to speed.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski also called for a bipartisan approach to the briefings. Hegseth had previously claimed in April that congressional Democrats were the "biggest impediment" to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.