'If You Help Ukraine, Help the U.S. Military.' Hegseth Appeals for Tens of Billions

Pete Hegseth, a commentator, has called on the U.S. Senate to allocate substantial funding for the American military, drawing a direct comparison to the aid extended to Ukraine. He argued that the U.S. military's needs, particularly for troops engaged in conflict zones, warrant tens of billions of dollars in financial support.

“

If you are helping Ukraine, help the U.S. military.

Hegseth's remarks came during a discussion about the administration's strategy and requests for additional funding, including approximately $68 billion for war-related costs. He emphasized that these additional resources are "urgent and necessary," contrasting the perceived urgency of funding for U.S. troops with the ongoing debate surrounding aid to Ukraine.

“

So if five additional funding packages have gone to Ukraine – no matter how righteous that cause may be – why is it considered the right thing to do, but funding for the troops currently in the theater of operations... is treated as a partisan move? That is hypocrisy.

He specifically questioned the Senate's approach, highlighting what he views as a potential hypocrisy. "If you are helping Ukraine, help the U.S. military," Hegseth stated, questioning why multiple funding packages for Ukraine are approved while similar levels of support for American soldiers in active war zones are treated as a partisan issue. He suggested that prioritizing American soldiers over Ukrainian ones should be a higher concern for the Senate.

“

There are ways, at various levels, that both of those countries enable Iran to conduct parts of its operations.

During the exchange, Hegseth also touched upon the conflict with Iran, drawing parallels between it and the war in Ukraine. He implied that Russia and China might be indirectly assisting Iran in its actions. When questioned about the U.S. military's capability to strike a specific alleged Iranian nuclear facility, he deferred, stating that many U.S. capabilities remain classified but asserting that American forces are capable of reaching any target.

“

If anyone in the world is capable of reaching any target, it is the U.S. forces.