Slams Hegseth for downplaying rules of engagement after friendly fire incident
Fred WellmanDemocratic nominee for U.S. House, Missouri's 2nd district; retired Army aviator
After Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed rules of engagement in the Iran war and three U.S. aircraft were shot down over Kuwait in an apparent friendly fire incident, Fred Wellman posted that rules of engagement are key to preventing exactly such incidents and called Hegseth an absolute idiot.
“Rules of Engagement are key to preventing things like our ally Kuwait shooting down three of our F-15's this morning. Hegseth is an absolute idiot.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Do they support the war in Iran?
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 congressional candidates stand on continued U.S. military operations against Iran, based on their votes, campaign statements, and public remarks.
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Reporting
About this source
NJ.com report on criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's March 2, 2026 remarks dismissing rules of engagement in the Iran war, including a post by Fred Wellman after three U.S. aircraft were shot down over Kuwait in an apparent friendly fire incident.
Before the quotation
Wellman posted on March 2, 2026, days into the war, after Hegseth told reporters there would be no stupid rules of engagement and U.S. jets were downed by an ally over Kuwait.
After the quotation
Wellman won the August 4 Democratic primary and faces Republican Rep. Ann Wagner in November.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Wellman attacked the war's conduct under Hegseth after a friendly fire downing of U.S. jets, an opposition position on how the war is being waged.
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The Dispute Index. "Slams Hegseth for downplaying rules of engagement after friendly fire incident". First published: 2026-09-24. Last updated: 2026-09-24. https://disputeindex.com/events/2299-after-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-dismissed-rules-of