War Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to defend the Trump administration’s war in Iran amid intensifying questions from lawmakers as he heads to Capitol Hill for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict.

Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine will testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, during which the duo is expected to press for the need to fund the administration’s unprecedented $1.5 trillion defense request for the upcoming fiscal year.

But the hearing comes just two days before a 60-day deadline that some Republicans say will force the administration to draw down its military campaign in the Middle East absent congressional approval.

Several Senate Republicans, including Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have voiced opposition to extending the war past the two-month mark. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is drafting an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) that would force the upper chamber to weigh in on the war.

HEGSETH WAS ‘INCREDIBLY TALENTED, BATTLE-PROVEN LEADER,’ MILITARY EVALUATIONS SHOW

It remains to be seen whether House Republicans will apply the same pressure on the administration to end the war. 

The War Powers Act permits a 30-day extension for the president to continue hostilities without Congress’ sign-off, but it is not clear whether President Donald Trump plans to adhere to that timeline or whether lawmakers will factor in the ceasefire with the looming deadline. 

Republicans have rejected myriad attempts from Democrats to curb Trump’s war powers in Iran, arguing such measures would unfairly restrain the president.

Democrats are expected to grill Hegseth about what they claim is limited transparency from the administration about its strategy toward Iran. Lawmakers could also press the Pentagon secretary about diminishing weapons stockpiles as a result of the war and the conflict’s long-term costs.

“What’s his plan for the war?” Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Armed Services panel, told CBS News on Monday in a preview of his questions for the blockbuster hearing. “Because the other piece of this is the president keeps threatening massive escalation.”

GOLD STAR FAMILIES DEVASTATED BY BIDEN’S BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL ENDORSE HEGSETH FOR SECDEF

Hegseth’s visit to Capitol Hill also comes as some lawmakers have voiced concerns about recent high-profile firings, including former Navy Secretary John Phelan. The Pentagon secretary also ousted Gen. Randy George, who was the Air Force’s top officer.

Hegseth could also face questions about the Pentagon formally requesting Congress to codify its “Department of War” name change that is projected to cost at least $52 million.

“The American people can’t afford groceries, gas or rent — and the Pentagon has ALREADY wasted $50 million on renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. Now they want more money,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., wrote on social media.

Ahead of the hearing, Hegseth announced a Joint Task Force Audit vowing to deliver a clean financial audit for the Pentagon’s 2028 financial statements after years of failing to pass an audit.

“We need to be brutally honest with ourselves. For far too long, this department’s financial reporting has been nothing short of a disaster,” Hegseth said in a video posted to social media. “Today that changes as it has during this administration, the era of excuses is over.”

Hegseth and Caine will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

Stephen A. Smith is confused that NASCAR drivers are angry at him because he mocked them last week in one of his predictable podcast rants.

Weird, I know. I can’t believe they’d fire back after that! I figured they’d just stay quiet because, after all, it’s Stephen A. Smith. Precious, popular, untouchable Stephen A. Smith.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

For those who missed it, the “First Take” host hopped on his little podcast and took a dump on NASCAR drivers after one caller insisted Richard Petty belonged in some sort of discussion he was having about LeBron James.

Yes, Stephen A. was talking about LeBron. Stunning.

“Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!” Smith told Jay from Greensboro. “I’m being honest, it’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same. You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud. A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete.”

It’s not a new debate, by the way. This comes up every few years, and everyone gets all flustered every few years. I’ve seen it a dozen times in my life.

Anyway, Joey Logano — also known as a two-time Cup champion and future Hall of Famer — stuffed Stephen A. in a locker last weekend at Talladega, saying he only made those comments because he needed to stay relevant.

I thought it was a relatively obvious retort given that’s all these podcasters do. They say things to get clicks. That’s the name of the game.

Stephen A., however, did NOT share the same sentiment on his show last night (starts at the 11-minute mark):

“Let me speak directly to Mr. Joey Logano, I don’t know you from a can of paint. Why can’t I just have an opinion about NASCAR? Why do I have to be doing it to stay relevant? My television show has been No. 1 in the morning for 14 straight years. I’m on television and radio and my career spans 30 years.

“Check the news. Google me. I don’t have that concern. I’ve been blessed by God enough not to have that concern … Do I look like somebody that needs to be relevant? I am relevant.”

I mean, what a response! What a battle we have brewing between Stephen A. Smith and the NASCAR world. Certainly didn’t see this one coming, but I’m glad we’re here.

Look, I think both guys are probably right here, which is a boring stance to take, I know. But, it’s the one I’m taking.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Joey Logano is right in saying that Stephen A. just says stuff to say it. Duh. That’s been his shtick for over a decade now. Nobody flip-flops more than Stephen A. Smith. The dude has attempted to get into politics for the past 18 months, and it’s been laughable.

The way he walks into a “big” NBA game like he owns the place and all eyes are on him gets me every time. He really does think the world just loves him.

And, he’s also sort of right. Look at what I’m writing about today. This is the SECOND time I’ve written about this in the past week. The guy does get clicks. He does move the needle. Like it or not, it’s true. The data says it’s true. Fair is fair, and I have to listen to the data on this one.

There’s a reason “First Take” is one of the very few shows at insufferable ESPN that has survived all the turnover. People watch it.

I don’t, because I value my sanity, but plenty of folks do.

Now, the whole “Google me” shtick is so exhausting. That’s where Stephen A. loses me. People who throw that line out there are usually pretty intolerable. There is nothing worse than a self-righteous Big J journalist. Nothing. It’s pathetic, and, frankly, embarrassing.

You can give us the facts without following up with “Google me.” We gotcha, Stephen A. We know. We hear you. Trust us, we always hear you.

You never shut up!

Anyway, the truth is that most of Stephen A.’s audience doesn’t know Joey Logano, and most of Joey Logano’s audience doesn’t know Stephen A.

Frankly, I think they should just play a game of one-on-one and hash it out on the court.

My money is on Joey!

Gunfire erupted near a Seattle community center Tuesday evening while Mayor Katie Wilson was attending a community event with families and children present, police said.

Multiple individuals were reported firing shots around 5:30 p.m. in the Yesler Terrace neighborhood near the Yesler Community Center, where Wilson had been speaking, the Seattle Police Department said in a blotter post.

Police said multiple individuals were reported firing shots near the center, damaging the building. No injuries were reported.

“At the time of the shooting, the mayor was attending an event with multiple children and adults,” police said.

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Wilson was escorted away from the area after the gunfire, FOX 13 Seattle reported. Several bullets struck the building, leaving holes in windows on the opposite side of the center from where the mayor had been speaking, according to the outlet.

Witnesses told investigators the suspects fled the area in an unidentified vehicle. Detectives with the department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit and Crime Scene Investigation teams are collecting evidence and working to develop suspect descriptions, police said.

In a statement released by her office, Wilson called the incident a “stark reminder” of ongoing gun violence concerns.

ICE DIRECTOR SAYS PORTLAND FACILITY FACES VIOLENCE WITH ‘LITTLE HELP FROM LOCAL POLICE’

“Shortly following my announcement of new investments in Seattle’s children and families today, we heard gunfire. No one was injured, but it was a stark reminder of a reality too many people in this city live with every day,” Wilson said.

“We cannot let this become normal. We must invest in opportunity, and we must continue working to keep people safe.”

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes also addressed the incident.

“This shooting reminds us that violence has no place in our community,” Barnes said. “Our neighbors have the right to gather, speak, and celebrate without fear of violence.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the mayor’s office and Seattle police for further comment.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Seattle Police Department tip line at 206-233-5000.