Trump Alleges Pentagon Chief Hid Ammunition Shortage – WP

U.S. President Donald Trump demanded an explanation from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over a severe ammunition shortage, saying he believed the issue had already been resolved.

The Washington Post reported this, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The conversation took place last week at Camp David during a Cabinet meeting. Trump expressed frustration, saying he believed he had been misled about the true state of U.S. ammunition stockpiles.

Hegseth denied responsibility, instead blaming his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, for the ammunition shortage and for failing to fully brief the president on the situation.

According to the newspaper, the dispute highlights growing tensions between Trump and the Pentagon chief. Hegseth was one of the strongest advocates of the military operation against Iran, assuring Trump that the campaign would be short and decisive.

However, the White House denied the report published by the newspaper.

“This is 100% fake news. It literally never happened. President Trump has the utmost confidence in Secretary Hegseth,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also rejected claims that the defense secretary had misled the president or shifted responsibility to his deputy.

“These claims about depleted stockpiles, internal disagreements, and the secretary’s position on Iran are just as fabricated,” Parnell said.

During Senate hearings in July, Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers over whether he had given Trump an honest assessment of the war with Iran, particularly regarding the risks a prolonged military campaign could pose to U.S. weapons stockpiles. He repeatedly blamed any shortages on the policies of the previous administration.

CNN previously reported that during the war with Iran, the United States used roughly 80% of its THAAD missile interceptor stockpile and about half of its Patriot air defense interceptors.

In addition, the U.S. military has nearly exhausted its stockpiles of ATACMS and PrSM long-range precision-guided missiles.