Michael Waltz faces Lieu resign demand over Iran deaths
Rep. Ted Lieu erupted at U.N. Ambassador Michael Waltz during House Foreign Affairs testimony Wednesday, telling him he “should resign” after Waltz appeared unaware of U.S. wounded totals in the Iran war. The clash followed fresh American deaths at bases in Jordan and Iraq and sharpens scrutiny of wartime accountability.
Key Takeaways
- Lieu told Michael Waltz he “should resign” and accused him of giving Congress false casualty information.
- Waltz estimated more than 100 U.S. wounded; Lieu cited a Defense Casualty Analysis System total of 482.
- The hearing came after four recent U.S. deaths tied to Iranian attacks in Jordan and Iraq.
- Republican members rebuked Lieu’s tone, noting Waltz’s long military service.
What did Ted Lieu say to Michael Waltz?
According to The Hill, Lieu yelled that Waltz should be “shameful,” did not know “basic facts,” and “should resign.”
“You don’t even care about the number of U.S. troops that were wounded,” Lieu said, accusing Waltz of giving “false information to Congress.”
MS NOW reported Lieu also pressed Waltz to focus on troops wounded and killed, saying: “Do not be so callous with the safety and lives of American troops.”
Why did the exchange erupt over Iran casualties?
Waltz initially said he believed U.S. wounded numbered “over 100.” Lieu countered with an official figure of 482 wounded, per MS NOW.
The confrontation followed deadly strikes. The Hill reported three service members killed Friday at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and a fourth killed Sunday at Erbil Air Base in Iraq during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone, raising the American death toll to 17.
President Trump attended Wednesday’s dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for 1st Lt. Tyler J. Feehan, Sgt. Michael E. Swinton, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales.
Lieu also grilled Waltz on whether U.S. troops remain stationed in Jordan. After deflecting, Waltz answered they are, “with a great ally,” MS NOW reported.
How did committee Republicans respond?
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) objected to what he called “derogatory language” toward the U.N. ambassador, telling Lieu the exchange was “not civil.”
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) noted Waltz’s 27 years of military service, The Hill reported. Tensions on Capitol Hill have risen as the Iran conflict nears five months after an interim peace deal collapsed last week.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on the fight and sought a $67 billion package to replenish stockpiles, according to The Hill.
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