Rep. Dan Goldman, a U.S. Representative for New York’s 10th District and a former federal prosecutor who previously served as lead counsel in the first impeachment of Donald Trump, posted on X on April 29, 2026, opposing continued U.S. funding for the war in Iran after new congressional testimony estimated its cost at $25 billion. Goldman, who also served on the House Intelligence Committee and worked as a legal analyst for MSNBC before his 2022 election to Congress, has built much of his political career around oversight and anti-corruption work, focusing in Congress on democratic institutions and accountability.
His post came after Trump administration testimony in the House Armed Services Committee reported that the war had already cost about $25 billion and would require additional funding requests. Goldman wrote: “$25 billion that could have gone towards healthcare, childcare, affordable housing, and education — all things New Yorkers actually want and need. Not another cent for this illegal and immoral war.”
The Pentagon figure was echoed in reporting from both the New York Times and Reuters, which noted that the war has also resulted in at least 13 to 14 American military deaths and significant military expenditures tied largely to munitions and sustained operations in the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the spending during the hearing, arguing it was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The conflict, Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, 2026, has involved large-scale U.S. and allied strikes across Iran’s military infrastructure and a major regional deployment of American forces. At the same time, it has contributed to economic pressure at home, with reporting linking the war to rising energy costs and broader inflation concerns affecting American households.
Goldman’s statement reflects growing political debate over the war’s cost and direction, with critics emphasizing domestic economic strain while administration officials continue to defend the operation as a national security necessity.