Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally paused a shipment of weapons promised to Ukraine this week to "put America's interests first" with a review of U.S. military stockpiles — concerns that sources told NBC News are unfounded.
Hegseth ordered the Pentagon's Joint Staff to conduct an inventory of all munitions on Tuesday, halting shipments expected by Ukrainian officials, who called the delay "painful" amid continued aggression from Russia.
According to three U.S. officials who spoke to the outlet, the Pentagon review concluded that sending the aid package would not compromise American military readiness.
"We are not at any lower point, stockpile-wise, than we've been in the 3½ years of the Ukraine conflict," said Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, who claimed the numbers did not justify withholding aid.
Lawmakers from both parties reportedly criticized the move, questioning its legality under legislation mandating U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
Sources told NBC News that the pause marks the third time Hegseth has obstructed shipments to Ukraine. In two previous instances earlier this year the decisions were reversed within days.
"This decision was made to put America's interests first following a DOD review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said on Tuesday.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed the message on Wednesday. "We can't give weapons to everybody all around the world," he said. "Part of our job is to give the president a framework that he can use to evaluate how many munitions we have where we're sending them. And that review process is happening right now and is ongoing."
Rep. Smith speculated the move reflects Hegseth's agenda of cutting off American aid to Ukraine. Sources noted the strategy is backed by Elbdrige Colby, the Pentagon's undersecretary of defense for policy, who has pushed for limiting assistance to Ukraine and focusing military resources on countering China.
The delayed shipment —which included Patriot interceptors, artillery rounds, and other critical munitions— had already been loaded onto trucks in Poland and other European countries when the stop order was issued, according to sources.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) has requested an emergency review of the decision to "withhold urgent, lifesaving military assistance to Ukraine" in a letter to the president.
As of Friday morning, no announcement has been made regarding plans to lift the aid suspension.
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