Hegseth Defends Trump's National Guard Deployment Amidst Controversy and Questions

Tensions Flare on Capitol Hill as Hegseth Defends Trump's National Guard Deployment to Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA – A recent hearing on Capitol Hill witnessed a heated exchange between Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concerning the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. The deployment, estimated to cost $134 million, has sparked controversy due to questions about its legal justification and necessity. Rep. Aguilar expressed his "severe concern" over the deployment, noting that it occurred without consultation with California state officials. He pointed to photographs showing troops sleeping on the floor, lacking basic necessities like food and water, provided by the Department of Defense (DOD). He directly questioned Secretary Hegseth, asking, "How long will this deployment last, and why were we unprepared to provide them basic necessities such as food and water?" Secretary Hegseth defended the deployment, stating that President Trump "has all the authorities necessary" and was "willing to do it." He offered a vague justification, suggesting the situation met criteria for deployment under U.S. law: invasion, rebellion, or the president's inability to enforce laws with regular forces. He added, "If you’ve got millions of illegals and you don’t know where they’re coming from. They’re waving flags from foreign countries and assaulting police officers, that’s a problem." This statement highlights the political context surrounding the deployment. The video serves as a valuable resource for understanding the ongoing debate regarding the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement and the accountability of government actions.