Dems accuse Hegseth of falsifying arms shortage to block Ukraine aid
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This marks the third time Hegseth has delayed Ukraine-bound arms, reportedly over stockpile concerns.
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Pete Hegseth responds to reporters during a meeting with Senator Mike Rounds at the Capitol in Washington, on December 5, 2024. (AP)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a planned shipment of military aid to Ukraine, citing concerns, deemed baseless by critics, about depleted US weapons stockpiles, according to reports.
The shipment, which included air defense missiles and precision munitions, had been pledged under the Biden administration to support Ukraine in the war with Russia.
However, NBC News reported that the decision to pause the aid was made solely by Hegseth, Donald Trump’s top defense official and a former Fox News host, who has previously faced scrutiny for sharing sensitive military plans in Signal group chats, one of which inadvertently included a journalist.
This marks the third time Hegseth has delayed Ukraine-bound arms, reportedly over stockpile concerns. When asked about the latest hold, President Trump defended the move, saying, “Biden emptied out our whole country, giving them weapons, and we have to make sure we have enough for ourselves."
'Strength of US armed forces remains unquestioned'?
A White House spokesperson said last week that the pause in aid shipments was made "to put America’s interests first following a [defense department] review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe. The strength of the United States armed forces remains unquestioned – just ask Iran.”
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed that message on Wednesday, explaining that the ongoing "capability review" is intended to ensure US military aid aligns with broader national defense priorities.
This is a "commonsense, pragmatic step towards having a framework to evaluate what munitions are sent and where,” Parnell said. He also pushed back on concerns about shortages, asserting, “Let it be known that our military has everything that it needs to conduct any mission, anywhere, anytime, all around the world."
No evidence of stockpile decline
Democrats said there is no evidence that American weapon stocks are in decline.
Adam Smith, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, told NBC, “We are not at any lower point, stockpile-wise, than we’ve been in the three-and-a-half years of the Ukraine conflict." Smith said that his staff had “seen the numbers” on weapon supplies and that there is no justification to suspend aid to Ukraine.
Lawmakers, allies respond
The decision has caught US lawmakers, Ukrainian officials, and key European allies off guard. Democratic lawmakers argue there is no evidence to support claims that American weapons stockpiles are running low.
“We are not at any lower point, stockpile-wise than we’ve been in the three-and-a-half years of the Ukraine conflict,” said Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, in an interview with NBC. Smith added that his team had reviewed the relevant data and found “no justification” for halting aid to Ukraine.
The delayed shipment reportedly includes dozens of Patriot interceptor missiles, crucial for defending against Russian airstrikes, alongside howitzers and other precision missile systems.
The timing of the pause is particularly damaging, as Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable. A senior Ukrainian lawmaker called the delay “painful.”
“This decision is certainly very unpleasant for us,” said Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of Ukraine’s parliamentary defense committee, according to Reuters. “It’s painful, and against the background of the terrorist attacks that Russia commits against Ukraine.”
