Pentagon Grilled on Greenland, Panama Invasion Plans

During a congressional hearing, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly declined to directly deny that the Pentagon has contingency plans to seize Greenland and Panama by force, instead citing the need to plan for 'any contingency.' His evasive responses, particularly to Rep. Adam Smith, sparked bipartisan concern and heated exchanges, with lawmakers demanding clearer answers. Scrutiny also emerged over Hegseth's use of encrypted Signal chats for military communications, fueling accusations of evading accountability and questions about his fitness to lead. Republican Rep. Mike Turner pressed Hegseth to clarify his remarks, but Hegseth maintained a general position on contingency planning. The controversy arises amid renewed U.S. interest in Greenland's strategic value and broader debates about transparency in national security decision-making. While such planning is standard, Hegseth's refusal to rule out forcible action intensified concerns among lawmakers and international observers.