Adam Smith Asks Pete Hegseth Point-Blank If the U.S. Plans to Invade Greenland or Panama - Liberal Lens

[Rhiannon12866]

This was not a theoretical debate — it was a question about democracy, restraint, and the use of military power.

During a congressional hearing, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a question few Americans ever expected to hear: does the United States have plans to invade Greenland or Panama if necessary?

Smith made clear that this was not about denying strategic realities or global competition. It was about whether military “planning” is being allowed to blur into political intent — especially when it involves the potential use of force against sovereign allies.

Hegseth responded by emphasizing that the Pentagon plans for all contingencies. But Smith pressed the deeper issue: elections are not mandates for conquest, and democracies are defined by restraint as much as strength.

This exchange matters because language shapes policy. When leaders refuse to draw clear lines between defense and aggression, uncertainty replaces accountability — and that uncertainty carries real global consequences.

Watch closely. Oversight exists to force clarity before norms are broken, not after.

[Roy Rolling]

1. Nicely said

“Oversight exists to force clarity before norms are broken, not after.”

[ChicagoTeamster]

2. Mexico can profit by building a parallel freight railway "Isthmus of Tehuantepec" connecting Pacific and Atlantic

It will feature modernized ports, 10 industrial parks, and aims to slash shipping times, bypassing Panama's drought-related congestion which will only get worse and once Trump appoints some flunky to run it after, that's "if", they take over, they'll probably be stupid and jack up transit prices. Mexicos freight railway will be booming.

Also, Panama can drag things out through insurgency and appeals for international intervention and in the event of being conquered, sabotage the canal so that it would have to be fixed and/or rebuilt after being conquered. Mexico's railway will be up and running by then.

Stupid MAGA Project 2025ers think their plans will work. Look at what a disaster the tariffs and racist migrant expulsions have been so far. American products are already being boycotted like crazy. Any agitation in Central America and we can say goodbye to winter fruits and vegetables from there along with other products from other countries.