PolitiFact is reporting that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz claimed the U.S. military possesses "everything it needs" for the Iran war, yet simultaneously attributed depleted stockpiles to the Biden administration's provision of weapons to Ukraine. Waltz told NBC News' "Meet the Press" on July 26 that Secretary Hegseth inherited a military situation depleted by aid to Ukraine, the ongoing fight with the Houthis, and the Biden administration. He dismissed a July 24 NBC News report suggesting the U.S. military was rationing munitions due to dwindling supplies.
PolitiFact noted that several reports indicate U.S. weapons stockpiles are rapidly decreasing amid the Iran war. However, it clarified that while aid to Ukraine under the Biden administration did reduce U.S. weapons reserves, the Biden administration also initiated efforts to expand production and replenish these stockpiles. From 2022 to 2024, the Biden administration transferred significant amounts of munitions, including artillery shells and missiles, to Ukraine and Israel. Kelly Grieco, a defense policy expert at the Stimson Center, stated that U.S. stockpiles were already under stress when the Trump administration took office, and while Ukraine aid contributed, the current administration's decisions have also deepened the munitions deficit. Mark Cancian, a military specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, added that most weapons sent to Ukraine were for ground combat, which is not a primary issue in the Iran war. The Biden administration signed bills to fund weapon replacement and ramped up munitions production, a process that the Trump administration has since accelerated.
Separately, PolitiFact is reporting on Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's assertion that a recent poll showing his opponent, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, slightly ahead was funded by the pro-Israel group AIPAC. The poll, conducted by Tavern Research July 6-7, indicated a statistical tie between El-Sayed and Stevens. PolitiFact found no public evidence linking AIPAC to the poll, and Tavern Research CEO Matt Lackey stated the firm self-funded it. Federal Election Commission records show AIPAC's super PAC, United Democracy Project, has spent over $1 million on polling this election cycle but no payments to Tavern Research. El-Sayed's campaign did not provide evidence for his claim. The Associated Press reported that AIPAC and its affiliated groups have spent nearly $30 million in the Michigan Senate primary, marking its largest investment in a single race. El-Sayed has criticized Israel's government and military actions, while Stevens supports Israel's right to exist. PolitiFact rated El-Sayed's statement as False.