Pete Hegseth Refuses to Confirm or Deny Orders on Military Use Against Protesters

Military Deployment and Protester Interaction

• 🇺🇸 Senator Slotkin expressed concern over the potential use of the military in ways that contradict the Constitution and taint its apolitical nature.
• 🏛️ She questioned Secretary Hegseth about whether he authorized active-duty troops to arrest or detain unarmed protesters, referencing a prior alleged order to Secretary Esper.
• 🚨 Hegseth stated that individuals throwing concrete would be jailed, but clarified that the military's role is to protect law enforcement and that troops could "temporarily detain" protesters in self-defense to hand over to ICE, emphasizing this is not an arrest.

Cyber Tools and Lethal Force

• 💻 When asked about authorizing US military cyber tools to investigate protesters, Hegseth responded, "Certainly in no way that I'd be aware of," which Slotkin acknowledged as a positive answer.
• 🔫 Slotkin pressed Hegseth on whether he had given an order for the military to use lethal force against unarmed protesters, citing former Secretary Esper's book.
• 📖 Hegseth advised caution regarding information from books, implying skepticism about Esper's account.

Political Games and Military Integrity

• 🎮 Slotkin accused Hegseth of playing political games and suggested his responses indicated a lack of understanding of the country's principles.
• 🛡️ She argued that those who love the country and desire an apolitical military should not want citizens to fear their own armed forces.
• 🎖️ Slotkin emphasized that using the military should be a last resort, not a first resort, especially in domestic situations.
• ❓ The core of the exchange revolved around Hegseth's repeated refusal to give a direct yes or no answer regarding authorization for the military to arrest, detain, or use lethal force against unarmed protesters.