Pete Hegseth Grilled on Costs of National Guard and Marine Deployments to LA

Justification for Deployments

• 🎯 ICE operations in any state are deemed essential, especially given the stated figure of "21 million illegals" crossing the border under the previous administration.
• ⚠️ Deployments of the National Guard and Marines are justified to ensure ICE agents can safely conduct their duties and enforce immigration law.
• 🏛️ The White House cites a part of military code allowing federal troop call-ups in cases of "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States."

Comparison to 2020 Minneapolis Protests

• 🚨 Secretary Hegseth contrasts the Los Angeles situation with the 2020 protests in Minneapolis, where he claims Governor Walz allowed a police precinct to be abandoned and burned to the ground.
• ⏳ The National Guard was mobilized "far too late" in Minneapolis, and President Trump's decision to deploy troops to LA is framed as a measure to prevent a similar uncontrolled situation.
• ⚖️ The deployment is presented as a contrast to Governor Walz's handling of the 2020 events, where state and local law enforcement, along with the National Guard, were deemed sufficient.

Budgetary Concerns and Funding

• 💰 Congresswoman McCollum pressed Secretary Hegseth on the specific costs of the deployments and how these would be covered within the current budget.
• ❓ Questions were raised about what training missions would be affected and where the funds would be reallocated from.
• 📈 Hegseth stated that with a 13% increase in the defense budget, the department has the capability to cover such contingencies, promising to submit specific numbers later.
• ✅ All units on the ground are reported to be fully trained for their assigned duties.

Legal and Political Context

• ⚖️ California has sued the Trump administration, alleging the president overstepped his authority by calling up state National Guard troops.
• 🗣️ The situation is described as potentially untested legal territory.
• 📉 The transcript mentions the "defund movement" as a factor contributing to the LAPD's stated overwhelm, with the police chief reportedly feeling overwhelmed.