During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, both Republican and Democratic senators criticized the Pentagon for its lack of communication with Congress on key national security decisions and policy implementations. This bipartisan criticism focused on the three key Pentagon nominees during a routine nomination hearing, which included two for the Department of Defense and one for the Air Force. The chair of the committee, Roger Wicker, highlighted the importance of these roles in aligning with President Trump’s foreign policy agenda. However, the senators pointed out several issues, including apparent misalignments in policy directions with Trump’s directives and a lack of meaningful consultation with Congress.
The top Republican senator pointed to the Pentagon’s recent announcement that it would discontinue the rotational deployment of an infantry brigade combat team in Romania, which he felt appeared at odds with President Trump’s remarks about U.S. troops not being withdrawn from Europe. A press release from U.S. Army Europe and Africa stated that the disconnection is not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5, stressing that it is a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility. The press release noted that NATO allies are meeting President Trump’s call to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe without changing the security environment in Europe.
Wicker added that members were struggling to receive information from the Pentagon’s policy office, arguing that they haven’t been able to consult with it ‘in a meaningful way.’ War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy War Secretary Steve Feinberg directed Pentagon personnel to coordinate all interactions with Congress through the department’s central legislative affairs office, according to an Oct. 15 memo obtained by Breaking Defense. The move was seen by some lawmakers as an effort to limit information sharing with Congress, although the Pentagon claims it is intended to improve coordination and transparency in its communications with lawmakers.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., pressed Dahmer at the hearing on what he viewed as a series of Pentagon policy missteps, pointing to a March pause in U.S. aid to Ukraine, a canceled June meeting between Japanese and U.S. officials, and a review of the AUKUS agreement. Cotton expressed concerns about a series of missteps that seem to indicate a ‘pigpen-like mess’ coming out of the Pentagon’s policy shop. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., emphasized that Congress isn’t being treated as an ‘Article 1 co-equal branch,’ highlighting the lack of urgency to connect with Congress before the publication of the National Defense Strategy.
Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., also criticized Dahmer for seeming to have a ‘veil of ignorance’ about key events and decisions, despite performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of war since March. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, called out Elbridge Colby, the top Pentagon policy official, for being difficult to reach before asking Dahmer, Kadlec, and Borders to commit to returning senators’ calls the same day if confirmed. Sullivan noted it was easier to get in touch with Hegseth and Trump, stating, ‘Man, I can’t even get a response and we’re on your team.’
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Fox News Digital in a statement: ‘All DoW components engage with Congress on a very regular basis, in line with guidance established by the Secretary to ensure that we are being as responsive and transparent as possible. The Policy organization alone, under the leadership of Under Secretary Colby, has briefed Congress dozens of times, in both classified and unclassified settings, in addition to other meetings. The Department values its relationship with the Hill, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Congress to support a robust national defense.’