Representative Jason Crow criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, November 10, after Hegseth defended the administration’s military operations in Iran, saying the secretary had failed in his leadership and should be removed from office. Crow’s statement came as congressional efforts to impeach Hegseth gained renewed attention following the introduction of eight articles of impeachment by Republican Representative Thomas Massie.
Crow published his statement on X in response to a post from Clash Report quoting Hegseth’s remarks about the military operations. The exchange followed Hegseth’s public defense of the administration’s conduct of the Iran war.
Crow’s full post:
Pete Hegseth is “proud” of the way he’s conducted the Iran war and “would do it again tomorrow.”
He’s been a total failure and needs to be removed as Defense Secretary.
The post Crow was responding to quoted Hegseth as saying: “I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow.”
Crow’s opposition to Hegseth predates the Iran war. In March 2025, Crow called on Hegseth to resign after reports that the defense secretary had shared classified military plans through an unsecured Signal messaging channel.
Crow said the reported disclosure endangered American pilots and servicemembers and argued that Hegseth was not qualified to serve as defense secretary.
Crow has also repeatedly opposed the administration’s Iran campaign. On February 28, 2026, he described the war as a conflict of choice without a clear endgame or congressional authorization, calling for Congress to return and vote on a War Powers Resolution.
He argued that the war could expose American servicemembers to additional risks while imposing financial costs on households.
Crow’s opposition became legislative in May 2026, when he introduced the No Funds for Iran War Act. The bill sought to prohibit federal funding for the conflict unless Congress formally declared war or approved an Authorization for the Use of Military Force.
Crow said he would not support additional funding for what he described as an illegal war without a strategy or endgame.
Crow also introduced a War Powers resolution in May 2026 seeking to end the conflict. The measure was intended to reassert Congress’ authority over decisions to initiate and sustain military operations.
His position has remained that the administration should not continue the war without congressional authorization.
In June 2026, Crow issued a statement after the House passed a bipartisan War Powers Resolution aimed at ending Trump’s war with Iran. He described the conflict as a disaster that had cost servicemembers’ lives and increased household expenses.
Crow argued that the vote represented an effort by Congress to reclaim its constitutional role in decisions concerning war and peace.
Crow’s criticism of Hegseth also concerns civilian protection during military operations. In July 2026, Crow and Senator Elizabeth Warren demanded answers from the Pentagon about the dismantling of civilian-protection programs.
Their letter followed a Defense Department inspector general report concerning programs designed to protect civilians during armed conflict. Crow has argued that the Pentagon’s civilian-harm safeguards are essential to military accountability.
Crow has also criticized Hegseth’s handling of the war’s human toll. In September 2026, he introduced the Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act, seeking to prevent the Pentagon from manipulating casualty data and potentially affecting benefits for servicemembers and their families.
Crow’s legislation followed allegations that the administration had changed how certain casualties were categorized during the Iran war.
Crow’s opposition to the administration’s military policy also extends to Venezuela. In January 2026, he criticized Trump’s strategy following the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, warning against further nation-building efforts and the use of military force to pursue foreign economic interests.
Crow argued that the administration had failed to provide Congress with a clear plan for what would happen after the operation.
Crow has also questioned the administration’s lethal maritime strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels. In November 2025, he joined bipartisan lawmakers in sending a letter to Trump seeking information about the legal authority, intelligence and oversight mechanisms for the operations.
The letter raised questions about whether the administration intended to seek congressional authorization and how it determined that individuals aboard targeted vessels were legitimate military targets.
The impeachment effort against Hegseth has brought these concerns into a broader congressional debate over the administration’s military conduct. Reuters reported that Massie’s articles include allegations involving the Iran war, Venezuela operations, maritime strikes and Yemen.
Crow’s November 10 post did not explicitly state that he would vote for Massie’s impeachment resolution, but his demand that Hegseth be removed is consistent with his longstanding criticism of the secretary.
Crow’s public record includes efforts to restrict funding for the Iran war, invoke congressional war powers, demand transparency over civilian casualties and question the legal basis of military operations in Venezuela and the Caribbean.
His latest statement directly challenges Hegseth’s defense of the war, arguing that the secretary’s willingness to repeat the military campaign demonstrates why he should no longer lead the Pentagon.