Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby draws bipartisan criticism in classified briefing

A classified Pentagon briefing on September 17, 2026, erupted into bipartisan frustration as senators accused Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby of stonewalling on the National Defense Strategy and the ongoing Iran war. Lawmakers criticized Colby for failing to deliver a prepared statement and dodging questions on critical issues, including potential National Guard deployments at polling places. The clash highlights deepening tensions over Operation Epic Fury, which has cost over $42 billion and depleted U.S. munitions stockpiles, leaving the administration's $1.5 trillion defense budget stalled in Congress.

Colby classified briefing controversy

• ▪Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby failed to provide an expected update on the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy during a classified Senate Armed Services Committee briefing on September 17, 2026.
• ▪Senator Jim Banks defended Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby's September 17, 2026 briefing, calling it detailed, constructive, and substantive.
• ▪Senator Eric Schmitt faulted Democratic lawmakers, stating they showed a "10 out of 10" level of disrespect toward Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby during the September 17, 2026 briefing.
• ▪Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby immediately opened the September 17, 2026 briefing for questions without first delivering a prepared opening statement, drawing criticism from Senator Kevin Cramer.
• ▪Senator Joni Ernst expressed disappointment with the September 17, 2026 briefing and left early because Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby was not providing clear responses.

Iran war strategy questions

• ▪President Donald Trump stated on September 17, 2026, that he has a major decision coming up regarding whether to "annihilate" the Iranian regime.
• ▪The Trump administration's war in Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28, 2026, and has entered its seventh month of fighting.
• ▪Senator Mark Kelly stated that the Pentagon has struck 14,000 to 16,000 targets in Iran, including civilian ones, due to a lack of a clear strategic plan.

Munitions stockpile deficit concerns

• ▪Senator Mark Kelly linked the United States military's munitions deficit directly to the Pentagon striking 14,000 to 16,000 targets in Iran without a clear strategic goal.
• ▪Senator Mark Kelly stated that the United States military is facing a munitions deficit, with experts estimating military contractors need three years to replenish advanced defensive missile interceptors.

National Guard election deployment

• ▪Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby acknowledged during the September 17, 2026 briefing that discussions about deploying the National Guard for voter security on Election Day were taking place.
• ▪Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine stated in a letter that there are no plans to send federal military or National Guard personnel to polling places during the 2026 elections.

Pentagon-Congress communication tensions

• ▪The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the conflict in Iran could cost the United States approximately $2 billion per month for as long as it continues.
• ▪The Pentagon reported to Congress that the cost of the Iran war has exceeded $42 billion, representing a $4.5 billion increase over the previous public estimate.
• ▪Nearly all Senate Democrats, led by Senator Elissa Slotkin, signed a letter on September 17, 2026, demanding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provide a detailed breakdown of Iran war costs by September 30, 2026.

Defense budget legislative limbo

• ▪The Trump administration's $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget proposal and $67.1 billion supplemental request are stalled in Congress until at least mid-November 2026.
• ▪Senate Democrats requested a detailed accounting of how the Pentagon plans to allocate the remaining $34 billion from the previously passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.