SDC News One | National & Global Affairs
Blame and Battle Lines: Trump Signals Shift as Iran War Enters Uncertain Phase and Hegseth Gets Thrown Under the Bus
On March 23, 2026, President Donald Trump appeared to publicly shift responsibility for the ongoing war with Iran onto Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. During a public safety roundtable in Memphis, Tennessee, Trump described the decision-making process behind Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, 2026. -New York Post
Trump’s comments, characterized by multiple outlets as "throwing Hegseth under the bus," included the following: Initial Advocacy: Trump explicitly named Hegseth as the first person to support the military strikes, stating, "Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. And you said, ‘Let’s do it, because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon’". -New York Post
Decision Framing:
The President framed the choice as a "little journey into the Middle East" to eliminate a long-standing threat, contrasting this with the alternative of endless military recruitment. Current Standing: Hegseth, seated next to Trump during these remarks, reportedly nodded and gave a "faint smile". New York Post
Context of the Conflict The conflict, now in its fourth week as of March 2026, has seen escalating tensions and varying reports of its success: -NPR
Military Status:
While the administration claims significant degradation of Iranian naval and missile capabilities, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, causing global oil prices to surge over 45% to more than $110 per barrel. -SDC News One
Retaliatory Strikes:
Iran has continued to retaliate, with reports of missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. bases and allied cities in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Negotiation Claims: Trump claimed on March 22 that Iran had reached out to negotiate an end to the war, a claim the Iranian government immediately denied. NPR NPR +4 Critics and news analysts from The New Republic and Rolling Stone suggest these comments are an attempt by Trump to establish a "scapegoat" should the military campaign fail to achieve a swift victory. -Rolling Stone
By SDC News One
WASHINGTON [IFS] -- As the conflict with Iran grinds into its fourth week, a new front has opened in Washington—one defined not by missiles or naval blockades, but by political positioning and accountability.
On March 23, 2026, during a public safety roundtable in Memphis, President Donald Trump offered his most revealing comments yet on the origins of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign launched on February 28. In doing so, he appeared to redirect responsibility for the decision to strike Iran toward Secretary of War Pete Hegseth—an evolution in tone that analysts say may signal deeper concerns within the administration.
A Subtle but Significant Shift
Speaking before a local audience, Trump recounted the early deliberations that led to the operation. He singled out Hegseth as a key advocate for immediate action.
“Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up,” Trump said. “And you said, ‘Let’s do it, because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.’”
The remark, delivered with Hegseth seated beside him, was striking not just for its content but for its timing. As the war shows signs of becoming more protracted and complex, the president’s framing placed early momentum for the strikes squarely on his defense chief.
Observers noted Hegseth’s muted response—a nod and what was described as a faint smile—offering little public pushback in the moment.
Trump went on to characterize the operation as a calculated choice between confronting a perceived nuclear threat now or facing the long-term burden of sustained military mobilization. He referred to the intervention as a “little journey into the Middle East,” language that critics argue downplays the scale and consequences of the unfolding conflict.
A War Without Clear Edges
While the administration has pointed to successes—claiming significant damage to Iran’s naval assets and missile infrastructure—the broader strategic picture remains unsettled.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies, is effectively closed. The disruption has sent oil prices soaring more than 45 percent, pushing crude above $110 per barrel and rattling markets worldwide.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued to demonstrate its capacity to respond. Missile and drone strikes have been reported against U.S. positions and allied targets across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, underscoring the regional reach of the conflict and raising fears of further escalation.
Complicating matters further are conflicting narratives around diplomacy. On March 22, Trump stated that Iran had reached out to negotiate an end to hostilities. Iranian officials swiftly denied the claim, highlighting the persistent information gap between the two governments and the challenge of assessing any path toward de-escalation.
The Politics of Accountability
Trump’s public attribution of early support for the strikes to Hegseth has drawn scrutiny from political analysts and media outlets alike. Some interpret the remarks as an effort to establish distance between the presidency and the operational decisions of the war.
Critics argue that such positioning reflects a familiar pattern in high-stakes conflicts—where early unity gives way to finger-pointing as outcomes grow uncertain. Publications including The New Republic and Rolling Stone have characterized the president’s comments as laying the groundwork for a potential scapegoat should the campaign fail to deliver a decisive or timely victory.
Supporters of the administration, however, maintain that highlighting internal deliberations demonstrates transparency and reinforces the collective nature of national security decision-making.
A Defining Moment Ahead
With energy markets destabilized, regional tensions intensifying, and no clear resolution in sight, Operation Epic Fury is entering a critical phase—both militarily and politically.
For President Trump, the challenge now extends beyond battlefield outcomes. It includes maintaining public confidence, managing alliances, and navigating the internal dynamics of leadership under pressure.
Whether the remarks in Memphis mark a fleeting rhetorical shift or the beginning of a broader realignment within the administration remains to be seen. What is clear is that as the war continues, the question of responsibility—who shaped it, who owns it, and who answers for it—will become increasingly central to the story.
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