Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) erupted at President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, during a fiery House hearing Wednesday, accusing the administration official of giving Congress false information about American casualties in the war with Iran.
The explosive exchange unfolded during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing ostensibly focused on United Nations reform and the administration’s “America First” diplomatic strategy. Lieu quickly turned his attention to the mounting toll of the Iran conflict.
When Lieu asked how many American service members had been wounded in the war, Waltz estimated the figure was “over 100.”
Lieu shot back that the actual number was 482, citing the Pentagon’s Defense Casualty Analysis System. Independent reporting has also placed the number of wounded troops above 400. Military Times reported Tuesday that more than 400 troops had been wounded since the campaign began.
Waltz attempted to redirect Lieu to testimony Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered one day earlier.
“I’m here as the U.N. ambassador, but I’m happy to refer you to Secretary Hegseth’s testimony yesterday,” Waltz said.
That answer only further inflamed the California Democrat.
“In your opening statement, you bragged about doing a Security Council resolution on Iran. So yes, Iran is in your job responsibility,” Lieu fired back. “Focus on it, and focus on the troops that have been wounded and killed. Do not be so callous with the safety and lives of American troops.”
Lieu then repeatedly demanded that Waltz confirm whether American troops were stationed in Jordan.
As the two men talked over each other, Waltz took a personal swipe at the congressman.
“Try to get re-elected,” Waltz said.
“I will. November is coming for you and this administration,” Lieu replied before again demanding an answer.
“Of course they are,” Waltz eventually said of the American troops stationed in Jordan.
Lieu then pressed Waltz over whether the administration trusted Jordan to help protect those forces following an Iranian missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.
Trump had previously suggested that unidentified “other operators” were partly responsible for allowing an Iranian weapon to penetrate the base’s defenses.
“We have the best equipment in the world,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “But when you let other people do your job with the United States, we let other people do the job, and sometimes it doesn’t work out so well.”
Trump did not identify the “other operators,” but both Jordanian and American defense systems were involved in protecting the base, according to CBS News.
“Who are we going to have protect U.S. troops?” Lieu demanded. “They are exposed right now in the Middle East, repeatedly being exposed to Iranian missiles and missile strikes in droves.”
The exchange then spiraled into a full-blown shouting match.
“You don’t even know how many U.S. troops were wounded in this Iran war,” Lieu told Waltz. “Shame on you for not even knowing basic facts.”
“You are the U.S. ambassador, and you don’t even know how many U.S. troops were wounded in the Iran war—you got that wrong,” he continued. “You should be ashamed. You don’t know basic facts. You should resign!”
Lieu accused Waltz of being indifferent to the human toll of the war and of misleading lawmakers.
“You don’t even care about the number of U.S. troops that were wounded,” Lieu said. “You did not know how many U.S. troops were wounded; you gave false information to Congress.”
A Republican member of the committee finally intervened, arguing that Lieu’s words should be removed from the record.
“The gentleman’s words should be taken down,” the lawmaker said. “You should not use such derogatory language for the distinguished ambassador. Seriously, I know you’re upset.”
The clash came as the administration faces growing scrutiny over the cost and casualties of the Iran conflict. Eighteen American service members have died since the fighting began, including three soldiers killed in the recent attack in Jordan.
Trump attended the dignified transfer of four fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday—the same day Waltz faced Lieu’s blistering interrogation on Capitol Hill.
