Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from Senate Democrats during a hearing on Wednesday, as he defended the Trump administration’s decision to federalize 4,000 California National Guard members and deploy 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to anti-ICE riots. Hegseth asserted that the military’s involvement in maintaining order and protecting law enforcement agents like ICE officers enhances the Department of Defense’s readiness and lethality. The hearing, held before the Senate Appropriations Committee, saw Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, challenge the legality of the deployment, arguing that the use of military for what he described as a ‘civil function’ under the Constitution was inappropriate and could jeopardize military focus. Reed specifically questioned Hegseth’s emphasis on ‘lethality,’ noting that the mission in Los Angeles was not about military combat but about ensuring the safety of law enforcement. Hegseth responded by reiterating the administration’s focus on ‘warfighting, meritocracy, and readiness,’ claiming that the Marines were still in training, emphasizing nonlethal tactics, rather than being deployed for violence.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had sued the Trump administration over the deployment, saw a federal judge decline his motion for an immediate restraining order, though a hearing on the legality of the move was scheduled for the following day. The debate underscores the controversy over the use of federal troops in domestic law enforcement and the broader political implications of Trump’s administration’s policies on immigration and national security. The hearing also featured other senators, including Sen. Brian Schatz, who questioned Hegseth about the scope of the mobilization order and whether it applied to the entire nation. Hegseth clarified that the initial order federalized 2,000 National Guard troops, with a follow-up for an additional 2,000 due to the ‘requirement of more resources.’ He emphasized the plan’s flexibility, suggesting that the National Guard could be deployed if needed in other states where law enforcement was under threat, though he criticized Newsom for politicizing the issue.
During the hearing, Hegseth also faced questions about the potential for a rebellion within the United States, a topic that was brought up by Sen. Schatz. General John Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, deferred the question to the Department of Homeland Security, but Hegseth added that the United States had faced an ‘invasion’ of 21 million ‘illegals’ under the previous administration. This rhetoric highlighted the broader political context of the deployment and the administration’s stance on immigration. The hearing thus served as a platform for both political and policy debates, with Hegseth emphasizing the need for military readiness and law enforcement support, while Democrats continued to question the legality and impact of the military’s domestic involvement.