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... In a tense exchange at a Pentagon press briefing, Newsmax's James Rosen pointed to Trump's changing justification for the war with Tehran which began on Feb. 28, initially offering his "gratitude and admiration" to Hegseth and U.S. forces before questioning the president's shifting rhetoric.

"I want to first express my gratitude and admiration for the work you do and for everyone involved in our armed forces and also for the accomplishments of Operation Epic Fury, which I think are too often dismissed too lightly," Rosen said to Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine.

"But those accomplishments don't obscure, I think, a central default that has occurred here, and I would like you both to address it," he added. "On the first day of this conflict, President Trump addressed the Iranian people directly and said, when we're finished, take over your government. It'll be yours to take.' And then on the seventh day of the conflict, in a Truth Social post, the president said, There will be no deal with Iran except' all caps, exclamation mark UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!'"

Rosen continued: "What happens to that pledge to the Iranians? And when did the president decide to capitulate on his demand for unconditional surrender?"

Hegseth insisted that Trump "hasn't capitulated on anything," attacking Rosen for asking the question. ...