Trump: US military to hold press conference at Pentagon with Defense Secretary Hegseth at 8 AM ET Sunday.

Trump: US military to hold press conference at Pentagon with Defense Secretary Hegseth at 8 AM ET Sunday.

June 19, 2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will hold a press conference at the Pentagon on Sunday at 8 AM ET to address the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, as well as the Trump administration's proposed defense budget. This press conference comes amidst ongoing congressional hearings where Hegseth has faced scrutiny over his tenure, including his use of the Signal messaging app to discuss sensitive military plans [1].

Hegseth's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday highlighted the Pentagon's preparations for potential military action in the Middle East. He indicated that the U.S. military is providing possible options to President Trump regarding Iran but would not specify whether the military was planning to assist with Israeli strikes [2]. This stance reflects the administration's ongoing consideration of direct U.S. involvement in the conflict.

The press conference is expected to provide insights into the Pentagon's strategy for protecting U.S. personnel and airbases in the region. Hegseth has stated that the U.S. has repositioned significant numbers of refueling tanker and fighter aircraft to respond to the conflict, underscoring the administration's commitment to maintaining a strong military presence [2].

In addition to the Iran crisis, Hegseth's tenure has been marked by his promotion of social changes at the Pentagon, including the renaming of a Navy ship and the implementation of a ban on transgender troops. These moves have drawn criticism from lawmakers and military experts alike [1]. His use of the Signal messaging app for discussing military plans has also been a subject of concern, with the Pentagon's watchdog investigating the matter [1].

The press conference is the latest in a series of hearings and events that have kept Hegseth in the spotlight. His Senate confirmation was the closest vote of any Trump Cabinet member, highlighting the political challenges he has faced since taking office [1].

As the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, investors and financial professionals will be closely watching Hegseth's press conference for any indications of the U.S. military's plans and the potential impact on the defense budget. The administration's proposed defense budget of $1 trillion, a significant increase over the current spending level of more than $800 billion, is expected to be a key topic of discussion [1].

References:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-trump-senate-iran-signal-8a0814d29f204addede54202d40e954d
[2] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-hegseth-testifies-before-senate-armed-services-committee-hearing-on-pentagon-budget