During a Senate defense appropriations subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny regarding the deployment of military troops for immigration-related operations in Los Angeles.
Hegseth defended his decision to mobilize over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, emphasizing that the move was aimed at ‘maintaining law and order’ rather than engaging in combat.
‘It’s about maintaining law and order on behalf of law enforcement agents who deserve to do their job without being attacked by mobs of people,’ Hegseth stated, in response to challenging questions from lawmakers.
Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, condemned the deployment, labeling it as illegal and detrimental to military readiness.
Reed underscored that law and order responsibilities are traditionally a civil function, asserting that such duties should not involve the military.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington asserted that the deployment, coupled with President Donald Trump’s threats to use force against protesters, should raise alarms across the political spectrum.
Murray described the use of troops on American citizens as ‘unprecedented,’ ‘unconstitutional,’ and ‘downright un-American.’
Hegseth was pressed on the constitutional authority under which active duty Marines were being deployed to the protests but admitted he was uncertain of the specific legal provisions.
General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, added to the discussion by addressing whether he perceives signs of rebellion in the U.S. that would justify invoking the Insurrection Act for military law enforcement.
He acknowledged feelings of frustration among segments of the population but did not characterize the situation as an invasion.
Hegseth, however, echoed President Trump’s assertions regarding a ‘migrant invasion’ at the southern border.
Hegseth’s comments came amidst bipartisan concerns regarding ongoing military support for Ukraine, as lawmakers questioned the continued assistance in light of the administration’s defense budget proposals.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of a comprehensive defense budget from the Trump administration, particularly concerning the absence of funding for Ukrainian security assistance.
He questioned how this omission affects the prospects for a lasting peace, emphasizing the need for Europe to enhance its own defense contributions.
In his opening remarks, Hegseth indicated that the Defense Department required more time to finalize its budget, although he mentioned efforts to eliminate wasteful expenditures and prioritize Trump’s initiatives.
Despite the criticism, Hegseth maintained that a negotiated resolution in Ukraine would bolster American strength globally, asserting that the Russian government was the aggressor in the situation.
He also noted that some fiscal support for Ukraine was still forthcoming, yet provided no specifics concerning the funds or mechanisms involved.
Further complicating matters, Hegseth declined to share details about the Pentagon’s plans to accept a Boeing 747 from Qatar intended for use as a modified Air Force One.
Hegseth confirmed that discussions with Qatar have yet to yield a signed agreement allowing the U.S. military to take possession of the aircraft, thereby stalling any contracts or work on the necessary upgrades.
He referred to the situation as pending and stated that the budgeting and scheduling for security enhancements were classified.
Following the hearing, the questions remained regarding both the legal justifications for the troop deployment and the administration’s overall approach to military readiness and foreign relations.
The developments in Los Angeles, including the deployment of troops amidst immigration protests, have heightened tensions between local authorities and federal government actions, leading to critical discourse among Senate members.
As the congressional session continues, lawmakers are expected to further examine these pressing issues, alongside the administration’s stance on U.S. military involvement both domestically and internationally.
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