US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth admitted that the Pentagon has drawn up plans to invade Greenland and Panama by force if necessary.
During today's congressional hearing, he repeatedly refused to answer questions about using the Signal app to discuss military operations, and in response to questions about plans to invade Greenland and Panama, he confirmed that the Pentagon has drawn up a plan for the invasion.
Democratic members of the House Armed Services Committee have repeatedly engaged in heated debates with Hegseth, with the toughest questions coming from military veterans seeking clear " yes " or " no " answers, while he avoided directly addressing his actions as Pentagon chief.
In one of these exchanges, Hegseth gave a response that even concerned Republican lawmakers.
Representative Adam Smith of Washington asked if the Pentagon had plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if necessary.
"Our job at the Ministry of Defense is to have plans for every eventuality," Hegseth repeated several times in response.
It's not unusual for the Pentagon to make plans for potential conflicts that haven't yet happened, but the way he answered questions prompted a Republican lawmaker to intervene minutes later.
"Your testimony today is not about plans that the Pentagon has to take Greenland by force or invade it, is it?" asked Representative Mike Turner of Ohio.
When Hegseth began to repeat his response regarding emergency plans, Turner emphasized, "I hope this is not your testimony."
"We look forward to working with Greenland to ensure it is protected from any potential threats," Hegseth responded.
Representatives have repeatedly pressured Hegseth to answer questions he has evaded for months, including during the last two days of hearings on Capitol Hill.
Hegseth's use of two Signal groups to discuss plans for US strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen with other US leaders and family members has sparked further debate with members of Congress.
He was repeatedly asked whether he had shared classified information and whether he should be held accountable if he had.
Hegseth argued that he could not discuss the classification of such information with members of Congress, but at the same time maintained that nothing he released regarding the timing of the attack and the bombs dropped in March was classified.
Representative Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts and a former Marine, pointed out the discrepancy: " You could very well find out if it was classified or not ." Hegseth responded: " It's not classified, it was a very successful mission ."
A report from the Pentagon's oversight body on its use of Signal is expected soon.
Asked whether he would take responsibility if it were discovered that he had placed classified information on Signal, Hegseth did not answer directly, but said he serves "at the will of the president."
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he wants to take control of strategically important and mineral-rich Greenland, a longtime U.S. ally. Those statements have been strongly rejected by Greenland's leaders./ CTV News