Hegseth hearing live: Defense Secretary grilled on LA protest deployment, Ukraine and ‘warrior ethos’
Hegseth appeared in front of the House Committee on Appropriations in the Subcommittee on Defense
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday in the first of several hearings during the next week, in which he was grilled on the use of troops to quell protests in Los Angeles, funding for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, and his repeated use of the phrase “warrior ethos.”
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur told Hegseth: “When I hear warrior ethos, and I hear it a lot from you, Mr. Secretary, I'm concerned.”
“All the soldiers in our family, all of whom fought and received medals for their combat service, call themselves soldiers,” she added.
Hegseth refused to reveal the cost of the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, instead delegating the question to his special assistant, Bryn MacDonnell.
"The current estimated cost is $134 million, which is largely just TDY cost, travel, housing, food, etc,” she said.
Asked about support for the Ukraine security assistance initiative, Hegseth said there will be a “reduction in this budget.”
“This administration takes a very different view of that conflict,” he added. “We believe a negotiated, peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation's interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe.”
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Hegseth says US 'squandered' military advantage
The defense secretary argued that the proposed Republican budget “provides a historic level of funding for military readiness, putting our war fighters and their needs first.”
“We're rebuilding our military,” said Hegseth. “Twenty-five years ago, our military was unchallenged, yet we squandered that advantage as China carried out an unprecedented military buildup. President Trump is correcting those mistakes.”
Hegseth lauds Trump admin investment in military
Hegseth said during his opening statement that “under President Trump's leadership, this budget puts America first and gives our warriors what they need.”
“The $961.6 billion budget request, over 1 trillion for national security, will end four years of chronic underinvestment in our military,” he added.
'The lawlessness across the government must end,' Rep. DeLauro says
Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro slammed the administration during her opening statement, saying that “The American people expect, deserve, and demand better from their military leadership, and the lawlessness across the government must end.”
“This administration has unlawfully dismantled agencies and stolen funding across the government to give billionaires a tax break,” she added. “America's future soldiers are learning in our public schools. Our future sailors might rely on Medicaid to see a doctor. Our future airmen and women might only have a meal to eat because of SNAP or food stamps, or they may live in subsidized housing.”
Opening statements underway
Rep Tom Cole told Hegseth that he would like to hear more about “your plans for Golden Dome, hypersonics, and other programs that are evolving with the constantly changing nature of war.”
“I don't want you or your colleagues at the Department of Defense to have to operate under [a continuing resolution] again for the coming year. I know the difficulties that places on you,” he added. “Every member of this committee knows that you've got my commitment.”
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