Trump Blames Pentagon Chief for Escalating Conflict Over 'Let's Do it' Quote on Strike Pushes
President Donald Trump is shifting responsibility onto Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of being the first senior official who advocated striking Iran and urging action with a "let's do it" quote.
Key Points
-
1President Donald Trump has suggested that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was an early advocate and first to push for military action against Iran.
-
2Trump stated he consulted several senior officials before proceeding with the campaign, including General Caine (referred to as 'General' in excerpts).
-
3The conflict is now entering its fourth week of US-Israeli operations targeting Iranian interests related to nuclear weapons acquisition fears.
Developments
President Donald Trump claimed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was the first to advocate for military action against Iran, which he described as a terror state close to acquiring nuclear weapons that "let's do it." While US forces have conducted over 9,000 strikes resulting in more than nine deaths and numerous injuries since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, Trump announced an immediate five-day pause pending negotiations with Iranian officials.
President Trump claimed at a Memphis roundtable that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was enthusiastic and likely initiated discussions for Operation Epic Fury. In response to Iran's dismissal of ceasefire talks as "fake news," President Trump suggested the Iranian regime needs improved public relations efforts rather than acknowledging their denial or disputing his account directly on record in front of military leaders present at Memphis, Tennessee