Pete Hegseth

Hegseth will give a speech on Wednesday in front of hundreds of junior officers and enlisted officials, updating them on his priorities for the military.

Hegseth escaped an immediate impeachment vote, but questions over his war leadership and conduct are unlikely to disappear.

The letter came in response to a letter from New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who called attention to the conditions aboard the aircraft carrier in August. 

The interview came days before he and his brother, Logan, arrived in Washington on Thursday to visit the Pentagon.

The growing Republican defections come as Washington faces rising costs, depleted munitions stocks, and questions over how long the ongoing conflict can continue.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie launched an impeachment effort against Pete Hegseth over the Iran war, while polls show voters remain uneasy about the conflict ahead of midterm elections.

Ex-CENTCOM chief Gen. Frank McKenzie warned that "the US will not be able to maintain these bases in a full-throated conflict, because they will be rendered unusable by sustained Iranian attack."

US Defense Secretary Hegseth and political officials reportedly pushed for the airmen to take part in the CBS program, while military officials raised concerns over security and political messaging.

According to the Washington Post, Hegseth blamed Feinberg for letting stockpiles of long-range guided missiles and air-defense interceptors shrink.

Sources said the military presence is intended to preserve President Donald Trump's ability to choose between continued economic pressure, limited military operations, and broader escalation.