WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) released the following statement responding to the Department of Defense announcing publicly that it had miscounted the number of U.S. service members who have died in the Central Command Area of Responsibility as part of Operation Epic Fury and other Overseas Operations.
“Today’s public correction in the number of U.S. service members who have died in the Middle East since President Trump launched his disastrous war of choice against Iran was the direct result of congressional oversight. Specifically, this committee discovered a discrepancy in the Pentagon’s reporting of casualty numbers, brought it to the Trump Administration’s attention, and worked to ensure they publicly corrected this incredibly important record.
“There is no excuse for a mistake of this magnitude. While we take seriously our duty to serve as the voice of the American people and hold the executive branch accountable as a co-equal branch of government, requiring Congress to step in to rectify such an egregious error is an embarrassment for the Department. The failure of Secretary Hegseth to immediately take ownership of the problem also does a grave disservice to the men and women putting their lives on the line in service to our country.
“We are glad to see the error has been corrected, and we will continue to fight for transparency and accountability. While this public correction is an important first step, we expect the Department to make the necessary changes to policies and procedures to ensure this mistake is not repeated and that they are more transparent with the public going forward.”
“Today’s public correction in the number of U.S. service members who have died in the Middle East since President Trump launched his disastrous war of choice against Iran was the direct result of congressional oversight. Specifically, this committee discovered a discrepancy in the Pentagon’s reporting of casualty numbers, brought it to the Trump Administration’s attention, and worked to ensure they publicly corrected this incredibly important record.
“There is no excuse for a mistake of this magnitude. While we take seriously our duty to serve as the voice of the American people and hold the executive branch accountable as a co-equal branch of government, requiring Congress to step in to rectify such an egregious error is an embarrassment for the Department. The failure of Secretary Hegseth to immediately take ownership of the problem also does a grave disservice to the men and women putting their lives on the line in service to our country.
“We are glad to see the error has been corrected, and we will continue to fight for transparency and accountability. While this public correction is an important first step, we expect the Department to make the necessary changes to policies and procedures to ensure this mistake is not repeated and that they are more transparent with the public going forward.”
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