When asked about the reported new negotiations between the U.S. and Iran scheduled to begin on Monday, President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “We had an attack that would have been the biggest attack since World War II. It would have been disastrous for them.”
The Defense Department amplified the President’s claim on social media, as did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who added: “Fact. The @DeptofWar was ready to go — and remains ready — at levels not seen since World War 2. Locked and loaded.”
Fact.
The @DeptofWar was ready to go — and remains ready — at levels not seen since World War 2.
Locked and loaded. https://t.co/RzibCDfn05
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) August 2, 2026
The “locked and loaded” comments are being met with criticism from both sides of the aisle including Republican former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger, who replied, “Oh sure,” and the group Republicans against Trump, which replied, “FACT: You’re the worst “Secretary” of Defense in history”.
Democratic congressional candidate Fred Wellman, a West Point graduate and combat veteran who’s running against Trump-endorsed incumbent Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), also responded to Hegseth: “You’re still a clown. You were a clown in uniform. You were a clown at Concerned Veterans paid by the Koch’s. A clown on Fox. Now you’re a complete failure at this. The sad thing is our troops are paying for your incompetence.”
Others responding by pointing to Trump posts from January, eight months ago, which also claimed that the U.S. was “locked and loaded, and ready to go” to attack Iran and protect its citizens from the regime.
As one disgruntled American wrote: “This never ending doom loop cycle is getting really old Pete. Either finish the damn job or just leave the region. There’s NO middle ground because you can’t negotiate with terrorists.”
“Locked and loaded”
— Donald J Trump
January 02, 2026That’s 8 months ago TO THE DAY.
This never ending doom loop cycle is getting really old Pete. Either finish the damn job or just leave the region. There’s NO middle ground because you can’t negotiate with… pic.twitter.com/39Q1Znafhm
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OGCannaKingCA
[NOTE: Several conservative Republican veterans, including retired Lt. General Mike Flynn and U.S. Army General Jack Keane, who served vice chief of staff of the United States Army from 1999 to 2003, have been warning the Trump administration about negotiations with Iran. Keane has said that even if Iran does agree to a deal with the U.S., “they won’t comply.”]