Pete Hegseth

An investigation was launched by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Command leadership.

But before that review is completed on March 31st, you terminated it via social media posts.

Did you personally direct termination of that review?

I did.

Okay.

Now, the president said they probably shouldn't have been doing it and that I'd take a look at it.

So did you talk to the president before terminating that review?

I don't relay what I talk about with the President.

Okay, I think unfortunately that means that you did talk to him, which in turn means that you've just confirmed the President himself overruled the leadership of the 101st Airborne.

Mr. Secretary, you yourself have affirmed repeatedly the need for higher standards and higher accountability at every level of your agency.

Commanders rely on established processes to uphold these standards.

How does canceling a command-initiated review by the 101st Airborne leadership support a culture of accountability?

Actually, I think I'll ask that of the Chairman.

Mr. Sir, I actually don't think it is.

I think it is actually a fundamental principle of accountability in our department.

And I think it was the wrong decision.

I'm going to close by just saying one thing.

Mr. Secretary, you started this hearing by politicizing it.

There you have it, folks.

Let me know what you think.