Hegseth snaps over Trump's mental fitness question in tense US Congress hearing

Tensions flared on Capitol Hill as Pete Hegseth snapped when pressed about Donald Trump’s mental fitness during a heated congressional hearing dominated by concerns over the ongoing Iran war and the president’s controversial social media posts.

Testifying before lawmakers for the first time since the war began on February 28, Hegseth forcefully defended Trump after Sara Jacobs raised concerns about the President’s mental stability. The conflict has since claimed the lives of 13 US service officers, killed countless Iranians, triggered a global energy crisis, and driven up fuel costs for consumers.

“It pains me to even have to ask this about our president, but my constituents’ lives are at stake,” Jacobs said during Wednesday’s hearing. “Do you believe that the president is mentally stable enough to be the commander-in-chief?”

Hegseth pushed back sharply, replying: “Did you ask the same question of Joe Biden for four years?”

Jacobs countered that Joe Biden was no longer in office, noting that Trump had been president for a year and a half. But Hegseth refused to engage further on the line of questioning.

“I won’t even engage with the level of disparagement that you’re putting on the commander-in-chief,” he said. “He’s the sharpest and most insightful commander-in-chief we’ve had in generations.”

The fiery exchange unfolded as the war entered its 60th day, with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continuing to choke one of the world’s most critical oil routes.

Concerns over Trump’s health have intensified in recent weeks, driven in part by a series of incendiary late-night posts on his Truth Social platform. One such post warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if Iran failed to meet his demands.

Another post, presented by Jacobs during the hearing, showed Trump depicted as a Christ-like figure, with divine light emanating from his hands as he healed a man in a hospital bed, set against imagery of the US flag and bald eagles. The president later removed the image following backlash, including from within his own MAGA base.

“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better,” Trump said in a bizarre explanation, despite having previously shared similar imagery portraying himself as Jesus.

Holding up the image, Jacobs questioned Hegseth again: “How can I explain this next post to my constituents?”

“I’m Jewish, so this doesn’t really bother me, but my understanding is that this is quite offensive to many Christians. So how do you explain this post?” she added.

Hegseth again deflected, responding: “I’m not here to explain the post. We have an incredible commander-in-chief, okay, who puts our troops first.”

He then returned to attacking Democrats, asking whether similar concerns had been raised about Biden, whom he claimed “could barely speak.”

Jacobs argued that concerns over Trump’s behaviour cut across party lines, citing criticism from figures including Marjorie Taylor Greene, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and Stephanie Grisham.

“So how do I explain to my constituents that while they are in harm’s way, their commander-in-chief is posting these unhinged posts?” she asked.

The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee focused on the administration’s proposed 2027 military budget, which would increase defence spending to a record $1.5 trillion. However, proceedings began on a tense note as protesters confronted Hegseth upon arrival, with one holding a sign reading “arrest Hegseth.”

Just hours before the hearing, Trump posted another message on Truth Social at 4 am, alongside an AI-generated image of himself wearing a dark suit and sunglasses while carrying a military-style rifle.

“Iran can’t get their act together,” Trump wrote. “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”

- Ends

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