Republican senators criticize Defense Secretary for excluding Democrats from briefings

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces criticism from Senate Republicans for restricting classified briefings to members of the Republican Party. Thom Tillis, a retiring senator from North Carolina, warned that the approach undermines the ability to secure necessary votes for the department’s budget. An unnamed Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee said briefings should reach all 100 senators.

Senators Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stressed that while information must remain confidential, Democrats should be brought up to speed. Democratic senator Chris Coons noted that Republican colleagues have asked Hegseth to reach out to Democrats regarding funding. The Pentagon, represented by spokesperson Sean Parnell, affirmed its commitment to work with Congress on budget and readiness issues.