Hegseth Blames Biden For Drained US Stockpiles Amid Iran War
War Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Daily Caller on Thursday that former President Joe Biden depleted U.S. military stockpiles to support Ukraine against Russia, when asked about war spending in Iran.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the Pentagon is seeking more than $200 billion to fund the war in Iran, which may be difficult to convince Congress. Explaining why this funding is necessary, Hegseth told the caller that the Pentagon needs the money in part to replenish stockpiles that Biden depleted under his administration. (RELATED: Trump Claims US ‘Knew Nothing’ About Israeli Strike on Qatari Gas Field)
“There was a report last night that the Pentagon has asked the White House for an additional $200 billion for the war in Iran. Can you confirm that? And can you explain why such a large package is needed?” asked Reagan Reese, Daily Caller White House correspondent, during a Pentagon briefing.
“Up to $200 billion, I think that number could change. Obviously. It takes money to kill the bad guys. So we’re going back to Congress and the people there to make sure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we might have to do in the future, to ensure that our munitions are – everything is reloaded, and not just reloaded, but beyond,” Hegseth told the caller.
“I think, you know, we’re also still faced with the environment that Joe Biden created, which is depleting those stockpiles and sending them not to our own military, but to Ukraine, and that’s when – every time we go back and look at any type of challenge that we have, it comes down to, well, sending it to Ukraine,” Hegseth continued.
Regarding the Pentagon’s request for an additional $200 billion, @PeteHegseth tells me that “it takes money to kill bad guys” and that this figure could change.
He adds that the Pentagon needs funds to ensure they are adequately funded for what is being done and what may need to be done… https://t.co/apsjy8Jigw pic.twitter.com/ygxnwOuB4u
-Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) March 19, 2026
The U.S. government estimated in January 2025 that the United States had committed more than $66.5 billion to Ukraine since Biden took office, according to a fact sheet.
Three Patriot air defense batteries and munitions as well as various other air defense equipment were dispatched during the administration, the fact sheet states. As Operation Epic Fury approaches its fourth week, it has been reported that the United States is short on interceptors, particularly Patriot missiles and other air defense platforms.
12 National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions, HAWK air defense platforms and munitions, Avenger air defense platforms and more than 3,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and more were sent to Ukraine under the Biden administration to assist in air defense, according to the fact sheet.
The United States was estimated to have only about 25% of the Patriot missile interceptors it needed after using up its stockpiles in the Middle East, The Guardian reported in June 2025. This reportedly led the Trump administration to freeze the shipment of Patriot missile interceptors to Ukraine.
“This has been a central and ongoing concern,” a defense official told Politico. “It would also give fodder to those in the building who are saying we need to be more limited in what we give to Ukraine. »
Under the Biden administration, the United States has sent various ground equipment such as infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, tactical vehicles and medical vehicles, according to the fact sheet.
By 2022, the United States was short on various other key munitions, such as Javelin anti-armor systems and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Under the Biden administration, more than 3,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and more than 10,000 Javelin anti-armor systems have been sent to Ukraine.
WATCH: Daily Calls @reaganreese_ wonders whether Iran could survive U.S. missile interception capabilities.
HEGSETH: “Iran cannot survive us… Ultimately, we set the tone and tempo. » pic.twitter.com/hOJ13t8EqA
– Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 4, 2026
Hegseth previously told the caller that “Iran cannot survive” in the United States in response to reports that the U.S. military is running out of missile interceptors.
“Iran cannot outlast us. We are going to ensure, through the violence of our actions and our offensive and defensive capabilities, as I said, that we set the tone and the tempo of this fight,” Hegseth told the caller.
The president recently indicated that the conflict with Iran could soon end. Hegseth told the caller that when it comes to post-war plans, the United States will ensure that the consequences are in its best interest.
“Ultimately, the consequences will be in America’s interest, our interests. We will not live in a nuclear blackmail scenario with conventional missiles that can target our people, which is why the targets were set out from the beginning – missiles, missile production, defense industrial base, navy – all to ensure that they do not have nuclear power projection capabilities,” Hegseth told the caller.
