Washington Post: Trump furious at Hegseth over US missile shortage

The confrontation at the presidential retreat highlights a growing internal crisis within the administration's national security team. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the missile shortage has become a primary factor in President Trump's recent decision to back away from ordering further large-scale strikes against Iran. The President reportedly accused Hegseth of providing a "false representation" of the military's readiness and stockpile status.

Blame Shifted to Deputy Secretary

In response to the President's rebuke, Secretary Hegseth reportedly deflected responsibility to his deputy, Stephen Feinberg. Hegseth claimed that Feinberg had failed to fully brief the President on the severity of the situation, leading to the disconnect between the President's expectations and the reality of the U.S. arsenal. This internal friction comes at a sensitive time, as the administration navigates complex regional tensions and ongoing negotiations with Tehran.

Context of the Shortage

While President Trump previously dismissed reports of ammunition scarcity—stating as recently as Tuesday that the U.S. has "more ammunition than anywhere in the world"—the Washington Post report suggests that the private reality is far more constrained. This development aligns with prior reports from Reuters and other outlets indicating that the U.S. military faces a significant shortage of missiles and interceptors due to the sustained conflict with Iran. The reported shortage appears to be curbing the administration's "negotiating through bombs" strategy, forcing a more cautious approach to military escalation.