Stephen Feinberg, the billionaire financier nominated by President Trump to serve as the Pentagon's No. 2 civilian, declined to comment during a Senate hearing today on whether he believes Russia has invaded Ukraine, taking criticism from Democrats. Feinberg, however, has submitted written testimony to lawmakers in which he characterizes Russia's actions in February 2022 as "further invasion."
Feinberg was pressed during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today by Democrats, following comments from President Trump, who has falsely framed Kyiv as the aggressor amid negotiations with Russia. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Mike Waltz have also recently refused to describe Russia’s actions as an invasion.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) told Feinberg today that the answer is “not complicated.”
“Russia did in fact invade our ally Ukraine,” Kelly said. “They moved tanks and troops and armored personnel carriers across the Ukrainian border.”
Feinberg said he understood Kelly’s point but went on to say that he does not feel he should publicly comment on the matter in the middle of the White House’s negotiations with Russia.
“There's a very intense negotiation going on right now,” he said. “I don't think some person who is not informed on this, not involved in the discussions, should make statements public that could undermine what the president and the secretary’s intent is. I do have confidence that President Trump is very strong in negotiation, has a plan and he will find a good outcome for Americans.”
But Kelly told Feinberg, an investor who has never held a position in government leadership, that if he is confirmed he will likely find himself “in the room” dealing with high-level national security issues.
“Mr. Feinberg, we've got to live in the real world here,” Kelly said. “Things happen and it's obvious to the rest of the world. For us to not be able to say an obvious fact? It doesn't help a negotiation.”
But Feinberg, in written responses to advance policy questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Russia’s actions in February 2022 a “further invasion.” Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
Feinberg’s answer came in response to a question about the Pentagon’s multibillion-dollar European Defense Initiative, which could be on the chopping block as the Trump administration seeks to pull back from past guarantees of European security and push NATO nations to spend more on their own defense.
“EDI investments since 2014 did not deter Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,” Feinberg wrote. “If confirmed, I would support a review of the allocation of resources across the different theaters of conflict and recommend investments that best protect U.S. interests, deter conflict, and leverage the investments of our Allies to provide for their own defense.”
While Feinberg’s written answer did not come up during the hearing, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) also pressed him to call Russia’s actions an invasion, characterizing Trump’s recent negotiating posture as “bowing down” before Russia.
Feinberg said he disagreed, asserting that Trump is “the first guy who brought Russia to the table.”
“I don't feel that I should publicly comment in the middle of a tense negotiation,” he said. “I’m not privy to the details of what’s going on in the negotiation between Russia and Ukraine, what the sensitivities are, [and] what the president is trying to accomplish. I’d be afraid to speak out of turn and undermine that.”
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said he is alarmed by the Trump administration’s posture.
“This was a Russian invasion of Ukraine, and at the highest levels of our government right now, we have folks who won’t speak the truth,” he said. “It is important that we not let these things just pass by unremarked upon.”
But Feinberg said Trump is “very cunning” in how he negotiates.
“I'd like to see how it works out,” he said. “I have confidence it will work out favorable to America.”
Elsewhere in the hearing, Feinberg, who has a reputation as a “reclusive” billionaire, said that, if confirmed, he would prefer to do his job as DOD’s No. 2 civilian in “total anonymity,” working to improve acquisition and successfully audit the department.
Sen. Angus King (I-ME), who during his questioning of Feinberg noted the tense political debate surrounding some of the Trump administration’s decisions to cut DOD civilian employees, said he understands Feinberg’s desire to stay out of the spotlight.
“Total anonymity is something all of us seek but none of us achieve,” King said.
Feinberg responded: “Yes, sir.”
