During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth found himself in a heated exchange over the federal government’s controversial decision to deploy Marines and National Guardsmen in Los Angeles.
The hearing coincided with a federal judge’s deliberations in San Francisco regarding California’s lawsuit challenging this deployment, which was ordered by President Donald Trump.
As Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) pushed Hegseth to clarify whether he would comply with a possible ruling from the courts, Hegseth refused to commit, insisting that judicial power should not encroach upon national security policy.
“We should not have local judges determining foreign policy or national security policy for the country,” Hegseth asserted.
However, he stated, “We’re not here to defy a Supreme Court ruling” when pressed further.
The exchange with Khanna was not the only tense moment, as Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) also challenged Hegseth, referring to the escalating presence of the military in Los Angeles as political theater.
Hegseth defended the deployment, arguing that incidents of assaults against ICE officers and police should not be dismissed as mere political theater.
“ICE officers and police officers being attacked is not political theater,” he remarked in response to Carbajal.
Frustrated with Hegseth’s responses, Carbajal took a more personal jab, labeling him as incompetent and an embarrassment to the nation.
“There’s been bipartisan members of Congress that have called for your resignation,” Carbajal said pointedly.
The context for the hearing revolved around the White House’s actions that began a week prior, which some lawmakers viewed as an unnecessary escalation in response to protests over federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
After a series of immigration raids were initiated, widespread protests erupted in the city, and Hegseth was pressed on why there had not been consultation with local leaders before deploying federal forces.
The congressman cited concerns over the potential for further unrest, emphasizing that sending Marines trained for combat into civilian areas heightens the stakes.
“We need to de-escalate the situation,” said Rep. Derek Tran (D-Orange) in a follow-up, echoing sentiments shared by many who observed the unfolding events.
As the tension heightened, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took preemptive measures by imposing a curfew in the city’s civic core after violent actions accompanying protests included blocking major roadways and vandalizing properties.
The atmosphere in the committee could be described as combative, reflecting deep divides over national security policy and the role of federal forces in state matters.
Republican committee members, however, defended the administration’s efforts, with Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) citing historical precedents for similar federal actions, ranging from the Civil Rights movement to responses during civil unrest.
“Isn’t it fair to say that there’s a well-established precedent for presidents acting when state leaders are either unwilling or unable to enforce federal law or protect federal facilities?” DesJarlais asked rhetorically.
Hegseth concurred with DesJarlais, suggesting that the current climate was rife with instances where local leaders appeared incapable of maintaining order.
“Sir, nothing that we’re doing on the ground is unprecedented,” he stated defiantly, countering claims of overreach.
Hegseth’s remarks frequently drew fire from Democrats who sought to understand the rationale behind the deployment, especially when he admitted he could not provide the specific legal framework justifying the actions of the Marines.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) expressed frustration at Hegseth’s inadequate planning, demanding concrete strategies for the future, stating, “What is your plan for the future? Can we get that in writing and on paper so that we know where you’re going? Because we don’t have anything today. We have zip! Nada!”
Throughout the extended five-hour session, Hegseth found himself defending the actions of the Department of Defense under scrutiny not only for the deployment but as part of broader concerns surrounding budget delays and coordination failures with local leaders.
While protests in Los Angeles remained largely peaceful, instances of violence have not been ignored, with demonstrators responding to federal actions with increased intensity.
President Trump earlier weighed in on the situation, stating that swift action was necessary to restore law and order, reiterating, “We are going to have law and order in our country.”
The hearing marked Hegseth’s third appearance on Capitol Hill within a week, as he faced a barrage of inquiries regarding his leadership and decision-making under the current administration.
As the debate over the use of military force within civilian contexts continues, the implications of these congressional actions will likely shape discussions on both national security and local governance in the coming weeks.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-06-12/california-congress-members-defense-sect-hespeth-immigration-raids-los-angeles
